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THE 



CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL: 

(Dr, an (£0scm on 



THE DUTIES.. DIFFICULTIES, QUALIFICATIONS, MOTIVES, 
AND ENCOURAGEMENTS OF CLASS LEADERS. 



TO WHICH 13 PREFIXED 



AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER ON THE HISTORY AND 
SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS MEETINGS. 



BY REV. CHARLES C. KEYS, 

OF THE NEW-YORK ANXCAL CONFERENCE. 



^no-Work : 



PUBLISHED BY LANE & SCOTT, 

200 Mulberry-street. 

JOSEPH LONGKOG, PRINTER. 

1851. 



<rJ^> Jtti.J*t 11./ n* 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, 

BY LANE & SCOTT, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District 
of New- York. 






PREFACE. 



Class-meetings, although somewhat peculiar as 
a means of grace, have, from a very early period 
in the history of Methodism, been considered as 
essential to her prosperity. As a denomination, we 
are pretty well agreed in placing a high estimate 
on this means of grace. Our success, as a peo- 
ple, and the rapid enlargement of our Zion, may 
be attributed, in no small degree, to this and 
other peculiar appliances, which have been em- 
ployed among us. 

But as classes consist of those " smaller com- 
panies," into which "each society is divided/' 
and " one of whom is styled the leader," it is 
evident that they cannot be maintained with- 
out this officer. We accordingly find, that 
wherever a Methodist Church is, there are to be 
found not only classes, but class-leaders. They 
are introduced with the itinerancy wherever this 
form of Christianity prevails, and become an im- 
portant instrumentality in " spreading" and main- 
taining that " Scriptural holiness," the promotion 
of which is its great design. But it is to be 
feared that there is a growing indifference to this 



4 PREFACE. 

weighty interest of the Church. It does not 
seem to command that attention which its im- 
portance requires ; and there is, consequently, 
great misapprehension prevailing in, as well as 
out of, the Church, in reference to its import and 
design. It is assumed to be the duty of all 
classes in the Church, from the highest grade of 
our ministry down to the private member, to be 
well acquainted with what is vital to our econo- 
my, to be able to appreciate its value, and also 
meet the skepticism and resistance with which 
it may be assailed. But is this the case ? Are 
not our people too generally deficient in the 
knowledge and understanding of our peculiari- 
ties, and disposed to relax the vigour with which 
the regulations of the Church have heretofore 
been enforced ? And, are not concessions of too 
liberal a nature often made to those, who, by 
misrepresenting her institutions, thereby seek to 
prejudice the minds of our members against 
them ? Where, then, is the remedy for this 
evil ? Evidently, in the removal of all miscon- 
ception on the subject, and in the general diffu- 
sion of correct knowledge. And if this be ne- 
cessary, in reference to the members of the 
Church generally, it is so, more particularly, in 
reference to their leaders, who, in a considerable 
degree, mould their opinions, and influence their 



PREFACE. 5 

action. If unfortunate results follow from the 
ignorance of class-members, then must error and 
misconception on the part of leaders be still 
more prejudicial to the interests of the Church. 
This class of men should be well acquainted with 
the nature and responsibilities of then- office, as 
well as qualified for the performance of its ardu- 
ous functions. Means should be employed to 
quicken their zeal, and to encourage them in 
their disinterested toil. The Church has not, it 
appears to us, fully acquitted herself in this 
respect. " Notwithstanding the serious respon- 
sibilities of the office, it may be safely asserted, 
that no class of agents are appointed and set to 
work in a more sudden and unexpected manner. 
While other agencies of inferior responsibilities 
undergo a suitable preliminary probation, these 
are often thrust into office without any prepara- 
tory trial, and being persons who entertain a 
deep conviction of the importance of the charge, 
and humble views of their own qualifications, 
none, under such circumstances, can be more 
desirous of friendly counsel and encouragement." 
— [London) Class-leader's Magazine. 

But such look in vain for any periodical devo- 
ted to their benefit, or for any material assistance 
offered them through the medium of the press. 
With the exception of two or three small tacts, 



8 PREFACE. 

(I speak now in reference to this country,) I 
• know not that we have anything to supply the 
want of which we speak. Perhaps the novelty 
of this office, as it exists among us, may have 
contributed to the barrenness of our church litera- 
ture in this respect. Methodism, in the various 
forms under which it has been developed, is a 
child of Providence, and the exigencies which 
have arisen in its rapid progress through the 
world, have not always been provided for by 
previous legislation and counsel. Circumstances 
have suggested, from time to time, what was 
necessary, and the action of the Church has cor- 
responded therewith. If the system of classes, 
and the office of leader, as they are known in 
Methodism, had been always in vogue, there 
would not probably be wanting standard treatises 
adapted to this peculiar feature of our economy. 
It is to meet this want of the times, that this 
little volume has been prepared. Actuated by 
a deep interest in the subject, and by a desire 
to instruct and encourage this worthy class of 
church officers, the author would desire to place 
his work in the hands of every leader, hoping that 
the objects herein aimed at, may, under the divine 
blessing, be, in some good degree, accomplished. 

Charles C. Keys. 
Tarrytoivn, N. K, May, 1850. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

PAGE. 

Section I. — A succinct History of Class-meetings 9 

" H. — The Scriptural basis of Class-meetings... 19 

CHAPTER H. 

ON THE NATURE OF THE LEADER'S OFFICE. 

Section I. — The Office of a Leader, Pastoral 47 

" H.— The Office of a Leader, Financial 102 

" HI. — The Office of a Leader, Administrative 131 

CHAPTER in. 
On the Trials and Difficulties connected with 
the Office of a Leader 137 

CHAPTER IV. 
On the Qualifications of a Leader 152 

CHAPTER V. 
On the Motives and Encouragements of Lead- 
ers 181 

APPENDIX. 

A. — History of Religious Societies 197 

B. — The duty of Preachers, with reference to Classes 206 

C.— The new Class-Book 223 



THE 



CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 



CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTORY. 

SECTION I. 
A succinct history of Class-meetings. 

John Wesley was called to engage in a work 
of the greatest magnitude and importance. The 
vigorous prosecution of that work required every 
possible collateral aid. But when Methodism 
first commenced its circuit of light and useful- 
ness, it had no church organization, and none of 
those powerful auxiliaries by which it is now 
distinguished, for the accomplishment of its great 
designs. Class-meetings had not yet been 
thought of, and even the societies themselves 
were not formed, until some time after this emi- 
nent man had become remarkable for his zeal 
and method in doing good. They were both 
introduced in their turn, in correspondence with 
those- providential indications, which, as the star 
of Bethlehem, led to the consummation which he 



10 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

so devoutly wished, and for which alone he la- 
boured and prayed. 

" I must premise," says Mr. Wesley, " that as 
they (the Methodists) had not the least expecta- 
tion, at first, of anything like what has since fol- 
lowed, so they had no previous design or plan 
at all ; but everything arose just as the occasion 
offered. They saw or felt some impending or 
pressing evil, or some good end necessary to be 
pursued. And many times ,they fell unawares 
on the very thing that secured the good, or re- 
moved the evil. At other times, they consulted 
on the most probable means, following only 
common sense and Scripture ; though they gene- 
rally found, in looking back, something in Chris- 
tian antiquity likewise, very nearly parallel 
thereto. 

" 1. About ten years ago, my brother and I 
were desired to preach in many parts of London. 
We had no view therein, but, so far as we were 
able, (and we knew God could work by whom- 
soever it pleased him,) to convince those who 
would hear what true Christianity was, and to 
persuade them to embrace it. 

" 2. The points we chiefly insisted on were four : 
First, that orthodoxy, or right opinions, is, at 
best, but a very slender part of religion, if it can 
be allowed to be any part of it at all ; that nei- 



HISTORY OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 11 

tlier does religion consist in negatives, in bare 
harmlessness of any kind ; nor merely in exter- 
nals, in doing good, or using the means of grace, 
in works of piety, (so called,) or of charity ; that 
it is nothing short of, or different from, 'the 
mind that was in Christ ;' the image of God 
stamped upon the heart ; inward righteousness, 
attended with the peace of God ; and 'joy in the 
Holy Ghost.' Secondly, that the only way under 
heaven to this religion is, to 'repent and believe the 
gospel;' or, (as the apostle words it,) 'repentance 
toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.' 
Thirdly, that by this faith, ' he that worketh not, 
but belie veth on him that justifieth the ungodly, 
is justified freely by his grace, through the re- 
demption that is in Christ Jesus.' And lastly, 
that being justified by faith, we taste of the 
heaven to which we are going ; we are holy and 
happy ; we tread down sin and fear, and ' sit in 
heavenly places with Christ Jesus.' 

"3. Many of those who heard this, began to 
cry out that we 'brought strange things to 
their ears ;' that this was doctrine which they 
never heard before ; or, at least, never regarded. 
They 'searched the Scriptures, whether these 
things were so,' and acknowledged ' the truth 
as it is in Jesus.' Their hearts also were influ- 
enced, as well as their understanding, and they 



12 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

determined to follow ' Jesus Christ and him 
crucified/ 

"4. Immediately they were surrounded with 
difficulties ; — all the world rose up against them ; 
neighbours, strangers, acquaintance, relations, 
friends, began to cry out amain, ' Be not righte- 
ous overmuch ; why shouldst thou destroy thy- 
self?' Let not much religion ' make thee 
mad.' 

"5. One, and another, and another came to us, 
asking what they should do, being distressed on 
every side ; as every oue strove to weaken, and 
none to strengthen their hands in God. We 
advised them, > Strengthen you one another.' 
Talk together as often as you can. And pray 
earnestly with and for one another, that you 
may ' endure to the end, and be saved.' 
Against this advice we presumed there could be 
no objections ; as being grounded on the plainest 
reason, and on so many Scriptures, both of the 
Old Testament and New, that it would be tedi- 
ous to recite them. 

" 6. They said, ' But we want you likewise to 
talk with us often, to direct and quicken us in 
our way, to give us the advices which you well 
know we need, and to pray with us, as well as 
for us.' I asked, Which of you desire this? 
Let me know your names and places of abode, 



HISTORY OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 13 

They did so. But I soon found they were too 
many for me to talk with severally so often as 
they wanted it. So I told them, S If you will 
all of you come together every Thursday, in the 
evening, I will gladly spend some time with 
you in prayer, and give you the best advice I 
can.' 

M 7. Thus arose, without any previous design 
on either side, what was afterward called a So- 
ciety ; (see Appendix A;) a very innocent name, 
and very common in London, for any number of 
people associating themselves together. The 
thing proposed in their associating themselves 
together, was obvious to every one. They wanted 
to ' flee from the wrath to come,' and to assist 
each other in so doing. They therefore united 
themselves, in order to pray together, to receive 
the word of exhortation, and to watch over one 
another in love, that they might help each other 
' to work out their salvation.' 

" It quickly appeared, that their thus uniting 
together answered the end proposed therein. 
In a few months, the far greater part of those 
who had beg;un to ' fear God and work ri^hte- 
ousness,' but were not united together, grew 
faint in their minds, and fell back into what they 
were before. Meanwhile, the far greater part of 
those who were thus united together continued 



14 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

€ striving to enter in at the strait gate,' and • to 
lay hold on eternal life.' 

" Upon reflection, I could not but observe, 
This is the very thing which was from the be- 
ginning of Christianity. In the earliest times, 
those whom God sent forth, ' preached the gos- 
pel to every creature.' And the oi akroatai, 
' the body of hearers/ were mostly either Jews 
or heathens ; but as soon as any of these were 
so convinced of the truth, as to forsake sin and 
seek the gospel salvation, they immediately 
joined them together, took an account of their 
names, advised them to watch over each other, 
and met these Jcateckoumenoi, ' catechumens/ (as 
they were then called,) apart from the great con- 
gregation, that they might instruct, rebuke, ex- 
hort, and pray with them, and for them, according 
to their several necessities/' — Wesley's Works* 
vol. v, pp. 176, 177. 

In giving another relation of the same story 
he says: "In November, 1738, two or three 
persons, who desired ■ to flee from the wrath to 
come/ and then a few more, came to me in Lon- 
don, and desired me to advise and pray witli 
them. I said, ' If you will meet me on Thurs- 
day night, I will help you as well as I can/ 
More and more then desired to meet with them, 
till they were increased to many hundreds. The 



HISTORY OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 15 

case was afterward the same at Bristol, Kings- 
wood, Newcastle, and many other parts of Eng- 
land, Scotland, and Ireland. It may be ob- 
served, the desire was on their part, not mine. 
My desire was to live and die in retirement. But 
I did not see that I could refuse them my help, 
and be guiltless before God." — Works, vol. v, 
p. 220. 

We perceive, then, not only that societies for 
Christian communion existed before the days of 
the Wesleys, (see Appendix A,) but that Mr. 
John Wesley himself was indebted to a society 
of this character for having "the way of God 
expounded more perfectly" to him, when as yet 
his views of the gospel plan were confused and 
indistinct. We see also that the first society of 
Methodists, anxious " to flee from the wrath to 
come," and soliciting the pastoral advices of our 
honoured founder, was nothing more nor less 
than a Methodist class, although the division of 
that society into smaller companies, with their 
leaders or sub-pastors, had not yet been effected. 

But this measure was not long postponed. 
The class, as a peculiar appliance of the Metho- 
dist economy, is also a child of Providence. It 
was first used as a convenient means for collect- 
ing weekly contributions for the payment of the 
church debt at Bristol, and it was immediately 



16 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

afterwards suggested and employed as a means 
of Christian communion. Its introduction is thus 
noticed by Mr. Wesley : — 

" When a large number of people was joined, 
the great difficulty was to keep them together, 
for they were continually scattering hither and 
thither, and we knew no way to help it. But 
God provided for this also, when we thought 
not of it. A year or two after, Mr. Wesley met 
the chief of the society in Bristol, and inquired, 
' How shall we pay the debt on the preaching- 
house V Captain Foy stood up and said, f Let 
every one in the society give a penny a week, 
and it will easily be done.' '■ But many of them/ 
said one, ( have not a penny to give/ ' True/ 
said the captain, ' then put ten or twelve of them 
to me ; let each of these give what they can 
weekly, and I will supply what is wanting/ 
Many others made the same offer. So Mr. 
Wesley divided the societies among them, as- 
signing a class of about twelve persons to each 
of these, who were termed leaders. 

" Not long after, one of these informed Mr. 
Wesley that calling on such a one in his house, he 
found him quarrelling with his wife. Another was 
found in drink. It immediately struck into Mr. 
Wesley's mind, ' This is the very thing we wanted. 
The leaders are the persons who may not only re- 



HISTORY OF CLASS-MEETINGS, IT 

ceive the contributions, but also watch over the 
souls of their brethren.' The society in London, 
being informed of this, willingly followed the ex- 
ample of that in Bristol ;* as did every society 
from that time, whether in Europe or America. 
By this means it was easily found if any grew 
weary or faint, and help was speedily adminis- 
tered. And if any walked disorderly, they were 
quickly discovered, and either amended or dis- 
missed." — Wesley s Works, vol. vii, p. 316. 

It is thus perceived, that there was no original 
plan, or previously contrived system, upon which 
the classes of Methodism were formed. The 
great design of Mr. Wesley was to raise up a 
holy people, and to diffuse widely as possible 
the pure gospel which he so assiduously and 
earnestly preached. This was his general mo- 
tive. Under its influence he went forth into the 

o i« Thurs. 25. — I appointed several earnest and sensible 
men to meet me, to whom I showed the great difficulty I 
had long found of knowing the people who desired to be 
under my care. After much discourse, they all agreed there 
could be no better way to come to a sure, thorough know- 
ledge of each person, than to divide them into classes, like 
those at Bristol, under the inspection of those in whom I 
could most confide. This was the origin of our classes at 
London, for which I can never sufficiently praise God ; the 
unspeakable usefulness of the institution having ever since 
been more and more manifest." — Journal for March, 1742. 
Wesley's WorJcs, vol. iii, p. 246. 
2 



18 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

* highways and hedges/' " the streets and lanes 
of the city," intent only upon fulfilling his high 
ministerial functions, and discharging his impera- 
tive duties as an ambassador of Christ. Like 
Abraham, he considered it his duty to obey, and 
" went out, not knowing whither he went." He 
could not " see the end from the beginning." 
He was unable to anticipate the remote conse- 
quences of those measures which he was at first 
led to pursue. This, however, made not the 
difference of a hair. His only concern was with 
the path of duty, and to him that path was a 
plain one. It is not saying all the truth to say, 
he was led by Providence. He was not only 
under a controlling influence that was gracious 
and divine, but he walked by faith. He had 
unshaken confidence in God as to the results of 
the warfare upon which he had entered, and 
surrendered himself up to the control of those 
circumstances in which he believed himself to be 
providentially placed. It was his part only to 
watch the guiding-star of his destiny, and follow 
as he was led. In this manner he progressed, 
step by step. As new openings presented them- 
selves, he entered and occupied the ground. 
Always ready for labour, he employed himself 
diligently in cultivating as large a portion as pos- 
sible of that " field" which "is the world," and 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETIXGS. 19 

made use of those instruments by which he cal- 
culated an ample reward of his toil would be 
secured. 

This principle gave character to all his move- 
ments, and impressed its genius upon all his plans, 
Thus were all the appliances which are peculiar 
to Methodism introduced, and thus was he led 
particularly to the adoption of class-meetings, as 
a means for detecting the disorderly, and pre- 
serving the purity of his societies. 

SECTION n. 

The Scriptural basis of Class-meetings. 

It seems to be necessary, not only that class- 
leaders should know something of the history 
of that institution which makes their office ne- 
cessary, but that they should also understand 
what is claimed for them, in their character as 
church- officers, and the light in which, accord- 
ing to Scripture, we are to regard the institution 
itself. With this view we submit the following 
observations : — 

It is not contended that this institution is of 
Divine appointment, or that, in the specific form - 
which it obtains among Methodists, it had any 
existence in the primitive Church. Like many 
other prudential regulations for the fulfilment 
of positive obligations, it has arisen with the exi- 



20 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

gencies and providential indications of the times, 
and has been used in subordination to the esta- 
blished ordinances of the gospel, for the accom- 
plishment of its great and leading designs. But, 
nevertheless, it has a strictly Scriptural basis for 
its support. The principle to be recognized is 
this, — That in the constitution of the Church 
and her various officers, certain general princi- 
ples are involved, to be applied to circumstances 
as they occur, according to the best judgment 
which may be formed concerning the nature and 
necessities of the case. These principles are in- 
herent in the very nature and design of the 
Church, and are not therefore to be set aside or 
acted upon at pleasure. It is only the mode of 
applying them which is discretionary with those 
whom " God hath set in the Church " for this 
purpose. This may be illustrated by an analo- 
gous case. A man is appointed to take charge 
of a school. He may not, as is frequently the 
case, receive any specific instructions, but be left 
to govern himself by those general rules which 
the nature and duties of his appointment involve. 
But has he not authority, and is he not bound to 
use his best judgment in forming such regula- 
tions for the conduct and government of his 
school, as may best promote the improvement 
and proficiency of his pupils ? And is not the 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 21 

authority for these minor regulations found in 
his own appointment, and therefore endorsed by 
those who have given him employment ? To be 
more particular, does not his office require that 
he should call his pupils together at stated times 
for instruction, that he should make a suitable 
organization of the classes, that he should ap- 
point subordinate assistants or monitors from 
among the pupils themselves, if he sees it neces- 
sary, (as is very commonly done,) that he should 
institute certain rules for the discipline and go- 
vernment of his school, and pursue whatever 
other measures he may deem proper to fulfil 
the wishes, and to promote the designs, of those 
from whom he has received his authority. Now 
although, in this case, his own appointment only 
can be traced to the proper authority, yet all the 
inferior regulations of which we speak are in- 
volved in that appointment, and are therefore 
authorized in the same manner. Thus G-od has in- 
stituted the Church, and appointed its officers for 
specific purposes, without prescribing the means 
which are to be uniformly used for the accomplish- 
ment of these purposes, but leaving them to be 
suggested by the vaiying circumstances of the 
Church, and by the judgment of those who exer- 
cise rule, and who are held accountable for the 
just exercise of the functions of their office. 



22 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

The name of the Church itself (ecclesia, from 
eTckallo, to call out) implies a separation from 
the world, and, connected with other appellations 
by which it is distinguished, (such as the " peo- 
ple of God," his "sheep," his "vine," his 
" children," his " sons and daughters," &c.,) an 
organization into a separate communion. So 
that to be a Christian, in the proper sense, im- 
plies such a separation from the world, and such 
a communion with the saints. " For what fel- 
lowship hath righteousness with unrighteous- 
ness ? and what communion hath light with 
darkness ? and what concord hath Christ with 
Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with 
an infidel ? and what agreement hath the tem- 
ple of God with idols ? for ye are the temple 
of the living God; as God hath said, I will 
dwell in them, and walk in them ; and I will be 
their God, and they shall be my people. Where- 
fore come out from among them, and be ye 
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the un- 
clean thing, and I will receive you ; and will be 
a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and 
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. 
vi, 14-18. But the great Head of the Church 
has used his prerogative in the appointment of 
proper officers for the exercise of pastoral care 
and government. " He gave some apostles, and 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 23 

some prophets, and some evangelists, and some 
pastors and teachers ; for the perfecting of the 
saints, for the work of the ministiy, for the 
edifying of the body of Christ." Eph. iv, 
11,12. Here, then, is the school of Christ, in 
which he has appointed the " tutors and govern- 
ors." And while all Christ's disciples are re- 
quired to connect themselves with this school, 
for instruction in the " faith and the knowledge 
of the Son of God," those whom he has ap- 
pointed as "teachers," are held responsible for 
tlie exercise of their best judgment in the use of 
means for the accomplishment of this object. 
The work to be done is well defined and per- 
fectly understood, but the machinery for its per- 
formance is left to ourselves. This will apply 
to the general principles of church government. 
No plan of ecclesiastical rule is prescribed in the 
New Testament. " Neither Christ himself, nor 
his holy apostles, have commanded anything 
clearly or expressly, concerning the external 
form of the Church, or the precise method ac- 
cording to which it should be governed 

The truth is, that Christ, by leaving this matter 
undetermined, has left to Christian societies a 
discretionary power of modelling the government 
of the Church in such a manner as the circum- 
stantial reasons of times, places, &c. may require ; 



24 class-leader's manual. 

and, therefore, the wisest government of the 
Church is the best and most divine ; and every 
Christian society has a right to make laws for 
itself, provided that these laws be consistent with 
charity and peace, and with the fundamental 
doctrines and principles of Christianity." — Mo- 
sheim's Church History, vol. i, p. 37. 

The different methods of church government, 
and the prudential means of grace, are to be 
similarly classed. Thus, one department of the 
Church may seek to accomplish its mission by 
Episcopacy, another by Congregationalism, ancl 
others again by yet different forms of ecclesias- 
tical polity. And the various denominations 
may each be distinguished for their prudential 
institutions ; but while aiming at the same ob- 
ject, and in its promotion making use of their 
best judgment, and their maturest energies, they 
are all to be recognized as labourers together in 
the gospel of our common Lord. One may 
have certain grades of office which are repudiated 
by another. One may have its consistory, 
another its precentors, and another its church- 
wardens, or corps of leaders. Some may have 
their conference-meetings, and others their 
classes or love-feasts, while others again resort 
to still different means, for purposes of Christian 
communion and mutual edification. While one 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 25 

thinks that the more intimate and familiar inter- 
course of class-meetings is necessary, and may 
be made to subserve an important purpose, the 
other may be of a very different opinion. " Let 
every one be persuaded in his own rnind," and 
every one will be accepted " according to that 
he hath." Now the question is, whether class- 
meetings are not authorized by the principle 
here exposed ? Let us remember the design of 
the institution. We seek to accomplish thereby 
no other ends than those proposed by the gospel, 
and contemplated by the Christian ministry, as 
appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ — to " gather 
together in one all things in Christ, both which 
are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in 
him, in whom also we have obtained an inherit- 
ance. " Eph. i, 10, 11 ; John xi, 52. This is the 
proper work of Christ's ministers, and they are 
held responsible for its faithful performance. 
Hence the counsel, encouragement, or reproof, 
as the case may be, is directed by our Lord, in 
the case of the seven Churches of Asia, not to 
the members individually, nor to the Church in 
her collective capacity, but to the angels of the 
several Churches. Rev. ii, iii. In order then to 
acquit themselves to their Lord and Judge, and 
more efficiently to perform their appropriate work, 
as pastors over "the flock of Christ," the Metho- 



26 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

dist ministry makes use of class-meetings. (See 
Appendix B.) And if they are authorized to 
employ these means, then are the members of 
the Church over whom they exercise this pas- 
toral care, under a corresponding obligation to 
submit thereto, as the order of those who " have 
the rule over them in the Lord." While the one 
is answerable for the manner in which he per- 
forms his high responsibilities, the other is re- 
quired to exhibit a becoming docility and sub- 
mission. This accords with the teaching of the 
apostle : " I beseech you, brethren, that ye sub- 
mit yourselves unto such, and to every one that 
helpeth with us and laboureth." 1 Cor. xvi, 
15, 16. " Obey them that have the rule over 
you, and submit yourselves ; for they watch for 
your souls as they that must give account ; that 
they may do it with joy, and not with grief ; for 
that is unprofitable for you." Heb. xiii, 17. To 
raise up a holy people, to furnish them the ne- 
cessary religious instruction, to promote Chris- 
tian communion, and " to present every man per- 
fect in Christ Jesus," are the ends contemplated 
by this institution. The close intercourse which 
is thus had together, the frequency with which 
we meet in Christian communion, the particular 
inquiry which the leader presses at such times, 
as to the religious state of his members, the con- 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 27 

stant and uninterrupted manner in which the 
subject of religion is kept before their minds, 
and the regular intervals at which they meet, 
while they constitute some of the peculiar fea- 
tures of the institution, are calculated to excite 
and prompt the mind, and to secure a religious 
character, harmonizing with all the obligations 
of the Christian profession. The affectionate 
superintendence and pastoral oversight exercised 
by the leader, is an admirable means for stimu- 
lating the members of his class, and has a ten- 
dency to promote and maintain an advanced 
state of grace. And if this officer realizes, in a 
due degree, his responsibilities as a sub-pastor, 
and is careful to discharge the obligations which 
he has assumed with fidelity, there can be no 
reasonable doubt but those imder his care will 
thrive in spiritual things, and realize the highest 
grade of Christian experience. 

If, then, the Christian ministry are at liberty 
to use whatever form of church government they 
see proper, in fulfilling the purposes of their holy 
calling, then is that liberty unrestricted, save by 
the necessities of the case ; and of this they them- 
selves are to be the judges. Among Methodists, 
(and we are not now writing for any others,) this 
principle will be admitted. It follows then from 
our own principles, as applied to church govern- 



28 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL, 

ment in general, that we have as good a right to 
require from our members a subscription to the 
expediency and lawfulness of class-meetings, as 
to episcopacy or any other form of church go- 
vernment. And in making an attendance on 
class a condition of church-membership, we lay 
a necessity upon them of no other kind than that 
which is involved in the general constitution of 
our Church. The whole array of means which 
we employ is deemed necessary for the promo- 
tion of those objects for which we have been in- 
vested with the ministerial office. We thus see 
in what manner Divine authority is given for 
those prudential arrangements which are pecu- 
liar to the various churches of Christendom, and 
in which the classes of Methodism are to be in- 
cluded. ' Under himself, God has appointed his 
ministers the pastors and governors of the 
Church. They occupy a position in the Church 
similar to that which a parent does in his family.- 1 
Although the centre of all authority is in God 
himself, yet he exacts obedience from children 
to their parents, (Col. iii, 20 ; Eph. vi, 1-3,) as 
also from church-members to their pastors : 
(1 Cor. xvi, 15, 16; Heb. xiii, 17;) in both 
cases premising that the authority exercised is 
reasonable, and not in conflict with the higher 
obligations we are under to God, but adapted to 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 29 

fulfil the ends of family government and pastoral 
rule. But the parent is supposed to know what 
is best rather than the child for all the ends of 
the family compact, and the ministers of Christ, 
equally responsible, are supposed to know what 
is best for all the ends of church government 
and relationship, and are therefore empowered to 
use what may seem to them the most feasible 
means for obtaining these ends, as well as to ex- 
ecute government against the unruly. 

This principle has always controlled the action 
of the Church in the formation of its rules and 
regulations. From the days of the apostles 
until now, this responsibility has been felt, and 
has given birth to the various expedients which 
from age to age have been in vogue for the propa- 
gation of the truth, and for the prosperity of the 
Church. Of this character were the canons of 
the primitive Church. To instance only in one 
particular, for the sake of illustration, — that by 
which, upon pain of excommunication, members 
were required to receive the Lord's supper every 
time they met, which in many cases was every 
day in the week : — " If any believer join in the 
prayers of the faithful, and go away without re- 
ceiving the Lord's supper, let him be excommu- 
nicated, as bringing confusion into the Church 
of God." Now the thing here required, it is 



30 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

admitted, like the Christian fellowship of the 
class-meeting, is of Scriptural obligation ; but the 
frequency, mode, and other circumstances con- 
nected with its observance, are left to be deter- 
mined by the authorities of the Church ; and the 
means which they are to use to secure such ob- 
servance, are also left' to be determined by their 
own sense of what is necessary and proper. 

Of the same nature are some of our general 
rules, embodying Scriptural principles, and there- 
fore expressing Scriptural obligations, but no 
more authorized as conditions of church-mem- 
bership than the communion of saints, as main- 
tained by the system of classes ; e.g., the rule in 
reference to the sale and use of spirituous liquors, 
those concerning uncharitable and unprofitable 
conversation, softness, and needless self-indul- 
gence, laying up treasure on earth, doing good, 
and family prayer. Now it is admitted that all 
these things are in accordance with that rule of 
our practice contained in the Holy Scriptures, 
but that they are any more imperatively required 
than the communion of saints, we have yet to 
learn. Are not the ministers of Christ, then, 
under equal obligation to see that the one is 
maintained as well as the other ? And have not 
the Methodists here the advantage of all other 
Churches, in the special provision they make for 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 31 

the maintenance of this vital principle of religion, 
while, by others, it is left, in a great degree, to 
the uncertainties of chance ? And, instead of 
being regarded as too strict and rigorous on this 
point, do they not rather deserve the cordial 
thanks of those who are permitted to reap the 
benefit of this regulation, and to enjoy the privi- 
leges connected therewith ? It is very desirable 
that more enlightened and legitimate views pre- 
vailed on this subject. 

But an argument may be drawn directly from 
the communion of saints, as enjoined in the Holy 
Scriptures. " A Methodist class-meeting is only 
a modification of that holy communion which has 
been enjoyed by the saints of God in all ages. 
Whatever appearance of novelty, in the view of 
some persons, there may be in the manner of 
conducting it, there is no novelty in the thing 
itself." (Fish? s Manual for Class-leaders, p. 16.) 
Here is the same " fellowship one with another' ? 
(1 John i, 7) which was maintained among the 
members of the apostolic Churches. Here is 
the same practice which prevailed before the 
time of our Lord, and which obtained the Divine 
approval : — " Then they that feared the Lord 
spake often one to another : and the Lord hear- 
kened and heard it : and a book of remembrance 
was written before him for them that feared the 



32 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they 
shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day 
when I make up my jewels ; and I will spare 
them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth 
him." Mai. iii, 16, 17. 

By this communion we fulfil a variety of apos- 
tolic precepts : — " Let us consider one another 
to provoke unto love and to good works, not for- 
saking the assembling of yourselves together, as 
the manner of some is, but exhorting one ano- 
ther/' Heb. x, 24, 25. " Confess your faults one 
to another, and pray one for another, that ye 
may be healed.' ' James v, 16. By this means 
we watch over one another " in brotherly love," 
" admonishing and exhorting one another daily." 
And thus we "do good to all, but especially to 
the household of faith ;" " comforting ourselves 
together, and edifying one another :" (1 Thess. 
v. 11 ;) " teaching and admonishing one another 
in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, and 
singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord ;" 
(Col. iii, 16;) "warning the unruly, comforting 
the feeble-minded, and supporting the weak;" 
(1 Thess. v, 14;) "bearing one another's bur- 
dens ;" (Gal. vi, 2 ;) " and rejoicing with those 
who do rejoice, and weeping with those who 
weep." (Rom. xii, 15.) 

To Peter, and through him to all his true sue- 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 33 

cessors in the gospel ministry, was given the 
power of church discipline, by which persons 
are either received and approved, or excluded 
from the Christian Church, (Matt, xvi, 19,) and 
he requires in a special manner that we should 
"love the brotherhood," (1 Peter ii, 17,) that 
we should " be all of one mind, having compas- 
sion one of another," that we should " love as 
brethren," (1 Peter iii, 8,) that we should have 
"fervent charity among ourselves." (1 Peter iv, 8.) 
And in the same spirit he gives the general di- 
rection — "The elders which are among you I 
exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of 
the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of 
the glory that shall be revealed : feed the flock 
of God which is among you, taking the oversight 
thereof, not by constraint, but willingly ; not for 
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind ; neither as be- 
insr lords over God's heritage, but beino- ensam- 
pies to the flock. And when the chief Shep- 
herd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of 
glory that fadeth not away. Likewise ye younger, 
submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of 
you be subject one to another." (1 Peter v, 1-5.) 
Now, to say the least, the spirit, if not the letter 
of these commands is obeyed by our adherence 
to the system of classes. 

Hereby is also realized that union of kindred 
3 



34 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

hearts, for which our Lord so earnestly prayed : 
" Neither pray I for these alone, but for them 
also which shall believe in me through their 
word ; that they all may be one, as thou Father 
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be 
one in us ; that the world may believe that thou 
hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast 
given me, I have given them ; that they may be 
one, even as we are one ; I in them, and thou in 
me, that they may be made perfect in one." 
(John xvii, 20-23.) The Church is not divided, 
but " one in Christ Jesus." Its members are 
recognized as a brotherhood, (" ye are brethren/') 
sustain a common relation to its Divine Head, and 
are united by a common interest in the covenant 
of grace, and its multiplied blessings : and surely 
we are bound by everything sacred in our federal 
and fraternal relations to maintain and strengthen 
the bonds of this union. 

We may take another important view of this 
subject. The Church on earth and the Church 
in heaven are one. The one is introductory 
and inchoative to the other. Hence the state 
of grace into which we are introduced on earth 
as preparatory to our entrance into the Church 
triumphant is called " the kingdom of God," and 
" the kingdom of heaven." It is the design of 
the one to fit and prepare us for the other. 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 35 

And it is the aim and desire of Christ to have 
the Church militant as correct an image and 
transcript as possible of the Church triumphant : 
He " gave himself for it, that he might sanctify 
and cleanse it with the washing of water by the 
word, that he might present it to himself a glo- 
rious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any 
such thing ; but that it should be holy and with- 
out blemish." Now our fitness for membership 
in the Clmrch triumphant must be predicated of, 
and based upon, that moral state of which the 
apostle here speaks. The same communion 
which is anticipated with the saints in heaven, 
must be relished and enjoyed with the saints on 
earth. It is only when we can sing, — 

M And if our fellowship below, 
In Jesus be so sweet," 

that we can add, in joyous hope, 

** What height of rapture shall we know, 
"When ronnd his throne we meet !' ? 

This communion of saints then is essential to 
Christian character and church-membership, 
We are, therefore, bound to enforce and maintain 
it. Otherwise we encourage a false and delusive 
hope of enjoying the communion of saints above, 
without that preparation of spirit which is in- 
volved in our communion with the saints on earth. 



36 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

" Nothing doth more further the increase and 
power of godliness in any place or person, than 
this. For, let it be observed, though there be 
never such an excellent ministry in any place, 
you shall see little thriving in grace amongst 
the people, until many of them become of one 
heart, showing it by consorting together in bro- 
therly fellowship, in the communion of saints. 
Nothing bringeth more feeling, joy, comfort, and 
delight, (next the communion with God in 
Christ,) than the actual communion of saints, 
and the love of the brethren. It is the begin- 
ning of that our happiness on earth, which shall 
be perfected in heaven." — Henry Scudder. 

We would not " transgress the commandment 
of God by tradition," in dwelling thus long upon 
a non-essential. But the communion of which 
we speak is inseparable from the idea of a 
Church, evangelically considered ; it is vital to 
religion, and involves that charity without which 
we are "nothing." It cannot be classed with 
the washing of hands, and other burdensome 
ceremonies, which originate in superstition, but 
must be considered as a necessary appendage to 
inward religion. Now, the point is, some means 
must be used to secure the development and 
maintenance of this essential principle. This is 
left discretionaiy with the pastors of the church ; 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 3*7 

and in the exercise of this liberty, with a view to 
the glory of God, and the prosperity of Christ's 
flock, the Methodist ministry have seen fit to 
employ that institution of which we here speak. 

Even without those affinities, which are pecu- 
liar to renewed hearts, "we are naturally led to 
seek communion and fellowship with others." — 
Hooker. 

There is a mutual interchange of sentiments 
and kind offices sought after, and eagerly desired, 
by the mere man of the world. "The com- 
munion of saints is the natural result of the law 
of association, sanctified by the Holy Spirit ; and 
discovers the sound philosophy embodied in the 
old adage, ' birds of a feather flock together.' It 
may be received as an axiom arising out of the 
nature and fitness of things, or from the doctrine 
of affinities, that, among sentient beings, like will 
associate with like. It is so with the fashiona- 
bles of the world, with pleasure -takers, with 
philosophers, with statesmen, with lovers of mu- 
sic, and with men of science ; and it cannot be 
otherwise with the children of God." — Henry 
Fish. 

When we take into consideration all the cir- 
cumstances of the Christian man, the new cha- 
racter he sustains, and the untried scenes through 
which, he is called to pass, together with the 



38 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

numerous influences unfriendly to his safety to 
which he is constantly exposed, it will appear 
that Christian communion, a fellowship with 
those whose tastes, and feelings, and purposes 
are similar to his own, is very desirable, and the 
propensity thereto correspondingly strong. 

This communion may be realized, to some 
extent, by simple membership in a Christian 
Church. We thus identify ourselves with God's 
people, and give some evidence of the union we 
have with them in spirit; and, to a limited 
extent, may enjoy an interchange of friendly 
thought and feeling. But this, however grate- 
ful, does not altogether meet the case. In addi- 
tion to this general and public communion, there 
is a greater social intimacy sighed after by those 
who are " the children of God by Christ Jesus." 
The worldly man may be connected with asso- 
ciations for the purposes of speculation, litera- 
ture, or politics, and may thereby answer all the 
proposed ends of such communities ; yet without 
his more familiar associates, to rejoice with him 
in his successes, and to sympathize with him in 
his reverses, life itself loses half its charms, and 
his existence seems little better than a blank. 
And, in these respects, all' men are alike. The 
disciple of Christ wants something more than a 
seat in the sanctuary, and a recognized member- 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 39 

ship in the visible Church. His sympathetic 
nature seeks out those with whom he can " take 
sweet counsel, and walk together to the house 
of God in company.' ' He is inclined toward the 
society of those who " fear God," and to whom 
with fraternal feeling he can say, — " Come and 
hear, and I will declare what he hath done for 
my soul. Yerily, God hath heard me ; he hath 
attended to the voice of my prayer." (Ps. lxvi,16.) 
It is only by a direct contact of heart with heart, 
and by a commingling of sentiment and feeling, 
that the affinities of our sanctified natures may 
find their appropriate combination. This pro- 
duces a spiritual union, more delightful in its ex- 
perimental and practical results, and more re- 
fining in its tendency, than any inferior and less 
intimate attachments can possibly be. These 
purposes are all subserved, in a high degree, by 
class-meetings. The exercises of such meetings 
are those in which Christian communion is spe- 
cially involved. Friendly inquiry after each 
other's welfare, converse upon " the deep things 
of God," the relation of Christian experience, 
and mutual encouragement to perseverance under 
the common trials of the Christian life, are the 
means by which the ends of this institution are 
advanced. Here also suitable instruction is 
given. The leader inquires " how every soul in 



40 class-leader's manual. 

his class prospers," and administers the counsel, 
comfort, or admonition which may be required. 
All have an opportunity of communicating their 
joys, and making known their sorrows, and of 
relating then* varied temptations and spiritual 
conflicts. The circumstances in which we are 
thus placed necessarily bring us into close con- 
tact, and serve to cement our union, and render 
it more enduring. 

"Sweetly thus we all agree, 
Touch'd with softest sympathy ; 
Kindly for each other care, 
Every member feels its share. 
Many are they now and one, 
We who Jesus have put on ; 
Names, and sects, and parties fall ; 
Thou, Christ, art all in all.'' 

By this means we obtain a more perfect ac- 
quaintance with the great principles of spiritual 
life. The general uniformity of religious experi- 
ence in different persons, though greatly varied 
in the aspects under which it may be presented, 
serves to strengthen faith, and to impart confi- 
dence. In this manner, " all the Lord's people" 
become "prophets," and teach each other, while 
being taught by those who, as leaders, exercise 
a subordinate pastoral care over them. 

We cannot doubt but what means were taken 
in the apostolic and primitive Churches to an- 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 41 

swer the same essential ends. Numerous regula- 
tions and offices existed, of which we know ex- 
ceedingly little ; but that the general purposes 
of these arrangements were similar to those con- 
templated by the different economies which now 
prevail, there can be but one opinion. The apos- 
tle informs us, — " God hath set some in the 
Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, 
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts 
of healings, helps, governments, diversities of 
tongues." (1 Cor. xii, 25.) Here are as many 
as eight distinct classes of evangelical men, re- 
cognized by Divine inspiration, and all designed 
for the " edifying of the body of Christ." That 
they were all ordained men, and engaged in the 
work of the Christian ministry, is more perhaps 
than we can readily believe. But that they all 
had a part to perform in advancing the great 
objects of the ministry, there can be no doubt. 
And that some of these various auxiliaries might 
have resembled our class-leaders, in the relative 
position which they occupied in the Church, 
though not admitting of demonstration, may, 
nevertheless, be reasonably supposed, without 
doing violence to the established principles of in- 
terpretation. Among those here mentioned are 
simple " teachers" and helps. We may at least 
be safe in saying, that the class-leader is a teacher 



42 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

in the Church of God, and an eminent help to 
both preachers and people. There might not, 
at the time of which we speak, have been a di- 
vision of the Church into classes, upon the same 
plan as that which now obtains in the Methodist 
Churches, but it is more than probable, that by 
these different officers the most diligent, affec- 
tionate, and particular pastoral care was exer- 
cised over every member of the flock of Christ. 

" All these offices were of Divine institution. 
They seem to have been necessary to the state 
of things which the gospel dispensation intro- 
duced. They were adapted by infinite wisdom 
to the exigencies of the times in which they were 
exercised. The whole of them, however, were 
not intended to be of permanent duration. Some 
of them were altogether of a supernatural order, 
and came to an end with the age of miracles : 
the gift of prophecy failed, and of tongues 
ceased, and of knowledge by inspiration vanished 
away; but others of them were ordinary, and 
intended to be as durable as the world. These 
remained, and are exercised among us at this 
day." — Henry Fish. 

The history of the primitive Church, contained 
in the Acts of the Apostles, is too brief for us 
to expect explicit information as to those minute 
arrangements by which its government was 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 43 

maintained, and its various interests promoted; 
but here is abundantly sufficient, with the inti- 
mations furnished in the apostolical epistles, to 
convince us that the pastoral work was deemed 
of first importance. The incidental allusions 
therein to be found, the directions given to the 
different churches, the Epistles to Timothy and 
Titus, together with the example of the apostles 
themselves, all go to confirm and establish this 
view. (See Appendix B.) 

In making provision, then, as is done by the 
Methodists, for the most effectual pastoral over- 
sight of their people, and in furnishing them at 
the same time with the stated means of Christian 
communion, we consider that they are imitating 
the model of the primitive Church, and follow- 
ing in the steps of Christ's apostles. " It is clear 
as daylight, that that kind of communion 7 ' which 
is promoted by class-meetings " has the express 
warrant of Holy Scripture ; and that something 
more than Church communion in the sacrament 
of the Lord's supper was enjoyed by the primi- 
tive Christians. They had ' fellowship,' as well 
as ' breaking of bread.' How, for instance, 
could they exhort one another daily? How 
could they comfort and edify one another ? 
How could they provoke one another to love 
and good works ? How could they confess 



44 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

their faults one to another, and pray one for 
another? How teach and admonish one ano- 
ther in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs ? 
How bear one another's burdens? How weep 
with those who weep, and rejoice with those 
who rejoice, if they never met together for 
the purpose of conversing on experimental reli- 
gion, and the state of each other's souls ? What- 
ever persons may say to the contrary, those 
churches, the members of which do not observe, 
or in which they have not the opportunity of 
observing, the foregoing precepts which are en- 
joined in the New Testament Scriptures, are not 
based on the model of the apostolic Churches. 
That great and good man in whom Methodism 
originated, seems to have had correct views of 
what was necessary to constitute Christian com- 
munion, when he instituted class-meetings." — 
Fish's Class-leader's Manual, pp. 20, 21. 

" Here we must notice, that it is the thing 
itself, Christian fellowship, and not the name, 
which we contend for. The experience of about 
sixty years has fully convinced us of its necessity ; 
and we ourselves can say, that in the course of 
an extensive acquaintance with men and things, 
and the Church of God, for about twenty or 
thirty years, we have rarely met with one who 
has been much devoted to God, and at the same 



SCRIPTURAL BASIS OF CLASS-MEETINGS. 45 

time not united in close Christian fellowship to 
some religious society or other. Far be it from 
us to suppose that no fellowship meetings except 
ours are owned of God : so illiberal a sentiment 
never entered our minds. But we must say, 
that those who entirely neglect this Divinely in- 
stituted ordinance, (however various the names 
given to it, or the modes of conducting it may be,) 
manifest that they are either ashamed to ac- 
knowledge as tlieir brethren the true children of 
God, or 'are enemies of the cross of Christ.' 
Phil, iii, 18. They wish to keep up a corre- 
spondence with the world, which Christian disci- 
pline could not long tolerate ; or they cannot 
bear to have their wounds probed to the bottom, 
that the balm of Gilead, the healing oil and wine 
of the gospel, may be applied by the Divine phy- 
sician, < and the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son 
of God, cleanse them from all sin.' (1 John i, 7.) 
" We have no doubt but meetings of Christian 
brethren for the exposition of Scripture texts 
may be attended with their advantages. But 
the most profitable exercise of any, is a free in- 
quiry into the state of the heart. We therefore 
confine these meetings to Christian experience, 
only adjoining singing and prayer in the intro- 
duction and conclusion. And we praise the 
Lord they have been made a blessing to scores 



46 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

of thousands. And we must add, with gratitude 
to the Most High, that after an accurate atten- 
tion to the point ourselves, and from the impar- 
tial, account of several of our oldest and most 
useful ministers in different parts of the globe, 
we have cause to believe, that out of those who 
have died members of our society, far the greatest 
part have entered into glory in the triumph of 
faith. In short, we can truly say, that through 
the grace of God our classes form the pillars of 
our work, and are, in a considerable degree, our 
universities for the ministry." — Bishop's Notes 
to Discipline, 

The foregoing arguments in vindication of the 
Scriptural character of class-meetings have been 
deemed necessary, from the fact not only of a 
careless observance and disesteem of this means 
of grace, prevailing to a considerable extent in 
some parts of our work, but because of the 
skepticism which, in some cases, has been ex- 
pressed as to their Scriptural authority, and espe- 
cially in reference to the rule concerning them, 
by which attendance is made a condition of 
church-membership. 

On these points the leader of a class should 
be well-informed ; and we have, therefore, pre- 
fixed these arguments to the chapters which are 
to follow, bearing more directly upon his office. 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE, 47 

CHAPTER II. 

ON THE NATURE OF THE LEADER'S OFFICE. 

It is very necessary that correct views should be 
entertained concerning the nature of the office 
filled by a Methodist class-leader. And we are 
more impressed with the importance which 
should be attached to the subject of this chapter, 
from the consideration that the office of which 
we speak seems to have fallen below its proper 
level in the estimation in which it is held by 
many persons, and because of the latitudinarian 
and liberal construction which has been imposed 
upon those rules which prescribe a leader's duty. 
Our task, therefore, is to elevate this office from 
its state of depression, and give to it the con- 
sideration and dignity which it may properly 
claim ; to hold it up in such a light as will pre- 
sent to view its prominent features and high ob- 
ligations, so that he who occupies this position 
in the Church of God, may not fail to perceive 
what is required of him. 

SECTION I. 

The pastoral character of this office. 

We deem the office of a leader to be strictly pas- 
toral. We are not to be understood, however, 



48 CLASS-LEADSITS MANUAL. 

as identifying this office with that of the Chris- 
tian minister. The one is of Divine appointment, 
and designed to be perpetuated in the Church 
of God, through the present dispensation of his 
grace ; whereas the other is of human origin, 
suggested by the exigencies of the times, and the 
indications of Providence, and used by those 
vested with chief pastoral authority in the 
Church for the better fulfilment of their holy 
functions, in accordance with Scriptural princi- 
ple and usage ; but, at the same time, susceptible 
of modification and change, as new circumstances 
in the condition of the Church may arise to re- 
quire it. Though the office of a leader, then, is 
strictly pastoral, it is subordinately so. The 
duties which are prescribed to him are chiefly of 
a pastoral character, and designed for the assist- 
ance of the minister in his proper work. 

The most common designation used to express 
the functions of the sacred office, " is that of 
pastor or shepherd. It is to be remembered, 
that in the first simplicity of mankind for many 
ages, men looked after their own cattle, or em- 
ployed their children in it ; and when they trusted 
that care to any other, it was no small sign of 
their confidence, according to what Jacob said to 
Laban. The care of a good shepherd, then, was 
a figure so well understood, that the prophet 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 49 

expresses God's care of his people by this, of 
his feeding them as a shepherd, carrying his 
lambs in his bosom, and gently leading them that 
were with young. (Isa. xl, 11.) Christ also calls 
himself the good Shepherd that knew his sheep), 
and did not, as a hireling, fly away when the 
wolf came, but laid down his life for the sheep. 
(John x, 1.) This, then* being so often made 
use of in both Testaments, is an expression of 
the great trust committed to the clergy, which 
likewise supposes a great, a constant, and a ten- 
der care in looking to, in feeding or instructing, 
in watching over, and guarding the flock against 
errors and sins, and their being ready to offer 
themselves to the first fury of persecution."— 
Burnett's Pastoral Care. 

Now, so far as the class-leader is a "helper," 
or assistant, in the work of Christ's ministers, so 
far is he a pastor. 

1. His office originated as a part of a scheme 
of finance, and being found conducive to the de- 
tection of immoral and disorderly persons, was 
immediately adopted as a means for promoting 
this, as well as other parts of the pastoral work. 
Thus the primary design of the office has, in a 
great measure, been substituted for that which 
was only a secondary and unlooked-for result. 
This is the case everywhere at the present time ; 
4 



50 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

as no one will contend that our classes constitute 
only a convenient means for meeting our pecuni- 
ary liabilities. The prominent features of the 
institution, as set forth in our book of Discipline, 
are such only as to authorize the view which 
we have taken. 

2. That the leader is expected to maintain this 
pastoral oversight, is indicated by the fact, that 
probationers are under his special charge, and 
cannot be received into full membership without 
his recommendation : — " Let none be received 
into the Church until they are recommended by 
a leader with whom they have met at least six 
months on trial," &c. — Discipline, p. 24. 

He is to acquaint them with the rules of the 
Church, and to satisfy himself that they have 
been observed throughout the term of trial.* 

There is no other way of entrance into the 
Church. No other officer, in the exercise of his 
own prerogatives, can supply, in this respect, a 
lack of service on the part of the leader, or neu- 
tralize the legitimate effect of his representations. 
The leader, of course, is a responsible officer, and 
may be removed, if need be, by the power which 

° See Discipline, p. 25, ques. 1, ans. 3, see. 2. To this 
rule, as being too often neglected, and as involving the duty 
of leaders, and not preachers, (who cannot he supposed to 
be present every time a person offers himself as a proba- 
tioner,) we would iuvite special attention. 



FASTOKAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 51 

appointed him; but while in office, his repre- 
sentations are to be relied on ; and aside there- 
from, no action can be had in the recognition of 
persons who have stood out the term of their 
probation as full members. Entire confidence is 
placed in the integrity of this officer. It is sup- 
posed, that throughout the term of trial he has 
used all necessary means to acquaint himself 
with the character of the candidate, and to con- 
firm him in Christian experience and practice ; 
that he has no antipathies or partialities to 
gratify ; and that his only aim is to render a 
good service to the Church, by preparing the 
probationers under his care for full communion, 
and by recommending only such as are qualified 
to adorn this position in the Church. By placing 
this responsibility upon the leader, it is expected, 
of course, that he will meet it in such a manner 
as to prevent unworthy persons from gaining ad- 
mission into the Church, while, at the same time, 
all those who can be made available to her in- 
terests are, by the most vigilant and affectionate 
superintendence, secured. A most important 
part of pastoral labour is thus made to devolve 
upon the leader. 

3. One of the principal duties of the leader is 
to assist the preacher in charge in the exercise 
of pastoral discipline. He is required by the 



52 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

rule, (Discipline, p. 21,) at the leaders' meeting*, 
" to inform the minister of any that walk disor- 
derly, and will not be reproved. " With a view 
to this obligation, he is expected to observe nar- 
rowly their conduct, and to keep himself advised 
of their spiritual state. 

Mr. Wesley says, when this arrangement was 
first suggested — " This is the thing — the very 
thing we have wanted so long. I called to- 
gether all the leaders of the classes, (so we used 
to call them and then* companies,) and desired 
that each would make a particular inquiry into 
the behaviour of those whom he saw weekly. 
They did so. Many disorderly walkers were 
detected. Some turned from the evil of their 
ways. Some were put away from us. Many 
saw it with fear, and rejoiced unto God with 
reverence. 

" As soon as possible, the same method was 
used in London and all other places. Evil men 
were detected and reproved. They were borne 
with for a season. If they forsook their sins, we 
received them gladly ; if they obstinately per- 
sisted therein, it was openly declared that they 
were not of us. The rest mourned and prayed 
for them, and yet rejoiced, that, as far as in us 
lay, the scandal was rolled away from the socie- 
ty."— Works, vol. v, p. 179. 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 53 

According to present usage and rule, when 
circumstances require a disciplinary procedure 
against an individual, and the case is such as not 
to involve any heinous crime, or gross immo- 
rality, either the preacher or leader acts, in order 
to bring the matter to an issue : thus showing 
that the same work is proper to both, and that 
the office of either partakes of the same cha- 
racter. 

"In cases of neglect of duties of any kind, 
imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or 
words, the buying, selling, or using intoxicating 
liquors as a beverage, or disobedience to the 
order and discipline of the Church ; — first, let 
private reproof be given by a preacher or leader ; 
and if there be an acknowledgment of the fault, 
and proper humiliation, the person may be borne 
with. On a second offence, the preacher or 
leader may take one or two faithful friends. On 
a third offence, let the case be brought before 
the society," &c. — Discipline, p. 92. 

The leader is thus bound, by the obligations 
of his office, to assist the preacher in enforcing 
obedience to the roles of the Church, and in 
maintaining a wholesome discipline over its mem- 
bers, so that " no fellowship" shall be maintained 
with " them that walk disorderly." It should 
be his care, however, not only to discharge this 



54 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

duty, but to do it in the most becoming and 
proper manner. There is frequently such a want 
of good judgment and charity in the manner of 
doing these things, as greatly to enhance and 
aggravate every difficulty. The design of the 
office is thus frustrated, and the Church suffers 
in her most important interests. Everything 
like an imperious exercise of authority in such 
cases should be avoided, while, at the same time, 
in a spirit of tenderness, and " not as being lords 
over God's heritage, " we should aim at a fear- 
less performance of our duty, in view of a re- 
sponsibility of which we cannot divest ourselves. 
With this view we are to " bear with the infirmi- 
ties of the weak," and avoid unjustly censuring 
them. We should eschew unfounded presump- 
tions, and beware of placing too much reliance 
upon the lips of fame. It becomes the duty of 
the class-leader to use all prudent and proper 
means for the detection of gross immorality, or 
" easily besetting sins ;" but when the offender 
is known, he is to be rebuked and exhorted 
"with all long-suffering." (2 Tim. iv, 2.) "Breth- 
ren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which 
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of 
meekness ; considering thyself, lest thou also be 
tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and 
so fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal. vi, 1, 2.) Mb 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 55 

extreme measures should be taken, without an 
attempt beforehand to reform the transgressor ; 
and such effort should be accompanied with 
earnest and anxious prayer. But if, after a 
course of prudent and plain dealing, the offender 
remain incorrigible, then, as a last resort, the 
minister should be made acquainted with the 
case. But there is no necessity, in ordinary- 
cases, that he should be called to act, when 
such necessity, with much accompanying diffi- 
culty and agitation, may be ayoided by a proper 
course on the part of the leader. These sugges- 
tions will not be underyalued by those who haye 
a tender regard for the members of then- class, 
and who desire to acquit themselyes in a way 
that shall most honour the chief Shepherd of 
souls, and best promote his cause. 

The chief responsibility in the exercise of dis- 
cipline, deyolyes, of course, upon the preacher 
in charge. There is no transfer of his obligations 
to the leader, and the leader cannot control Ins 
administration ; but he is called upon to render 
that aid which may be in his power towards an 
equitable performance, in this respect, of the pas- 
toral functions. This it is important to keep in 
mind, while the leading idea of the section is 
retained. 

4. As exercising a pastoral oversight, the 



I 



56 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

leader is " to see eacli person in his class once a 
week, at least ; in order, 

" 1. To inquire how their souls prosper. 

"2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, 
as occasion may require.'' — Discipline, p. 20. 

This work is of a pastoral character. If " per- 
fecting the saints, and edifying of the body of 
Christ," are the designs of a gospel ministry, and 
if, according to the Apostle, (Eph. iv, 11, 12,) 
" pastors and teachers", were given for this pur- 
pose, then, whoever aids in the promotion of this 
object, is to be considered as an auxiliary in the 
pastoral work. So far then is the class-leader a 
pastor. 

Mr. Wesley asks in the large Minutes, " What 
is the office of a Christian minister? 

" Am. To watch over souls, as he that must 
give account." 

The leader has souls under his care, over 
whom he is required " to watch," as one " that 
must give account" to God and the Church. 
Herein he assists the minister in his own work. 
For this purpose he as regularly meets his class, 
administering to their spiritual necessities, as the 
preacher in a more public and general manner 
dispenses Divine truth to the multitude from the 
sacred desk. And he watches over these souls 
in a more particular manner than the minister is 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 57 

able to do, because the number under his care 
is much less, and may more easily be attended 
to. " Every one" is here inquired of, and 
" every one" receives the advice, comfort, re- 
proof, or exhortation, which the occasion may 
require. To be sure, there are some leaders 
who seem to do but little pastoral work. But 
there are some ministers also, who are equally 
delinquent in performing this part of their duty. 
And the one is no more divested of his proper 
character, on account of this neglect, than the 
other. Pastors, differing in this respect, are to 
be found both among preachers and leaders ; 
but the leader who answers the design of his 
appointment, is true to his post and duty ; and, 
as an under shepherd, will look well after the 
sheep of his flock. 

On this rule, Mr. Wesley remarks : — " At first, 
they (the leaders) visited each person at his own 
house ; but this was soon found not so expedi- 
ent. And that on many accounts : (1.) It took 
up more time than most of the leaders had to 
spare. (2.) Many persons lived with masters, 
mistresses, or relations, who would not suffer 
them to be thus visited. (3.) At the houses of 
those who were not so averse, they often had no 
opportunity of speaking to them but in company. 
And this did not at all answer the end proposed, 



58 CLASS-LEADEH'S MANUAL. 

of exhorting, comforting, or reproving. (4.) It 
frequently happened that what one affirmed, 
another denied. And this could not be cleared up 
without seeing them together. (5.) Little mis- 
understandings and quarrels of various kinds fre- 
quently arose among relations or neighbours : 
effectually to remove which, it was necessary to 
see them all face to face. Upon all these con- 
siderations, it was agreed that those of each class 
should all meet together. And by this means a 
more full inquiry was made into the behaviour 
of each person. Those who could not be visited 
at home, or no otherwise than in company, had 
the same advantage with others. Advice or re- 
proof was given as need required, quarrels made 
up, misunderstandings removed ; and after an 
hour or two spent in this labour of love, they 
concluded with prayer and thanksgiving.'' — 
Works, vol. v, pp. 179, 180. 

All this, without a distinctive name, shows the 
nature of the office which is filled by a leader. 

5. A proper performance of his work implies, 
not only that the leader is punctual in meeting 
his class at the appointed time and place, but 
that he also exercises a pastoral supervision over 
those who from various causes may be absent. 

Distance, important business, family circum- 
stances, bodily sickness, or religious declension 



PASTORAL CPIARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 59 

may, according to the nature of the case, occa- 
sion such absence. But, surely, if the leader 
have the charge of these souls, he cannot pro- 
perly discharge his duty toward them, and an- 
swer to his own conscience, while neglecting to 
inquire after them, and to take those measures 
required of him as their spiritual guide, to pro- 
mote their spiritual interests. The design of his 
appointment, the general character of his office, 
the drift and direction of all the rules which 
appertain to his conduct, if they do not speci- 
fically require, do certainly, by implication, sup- 
pose that this duty is obligatory upon him. 
How can he exercise a pastoral care, and how 
can he watch over these souls, if he never takes 
the trouble to inquire after them, and to search 
them out, when, through either of the above 
causes, they are absent from class ? "What kind 
of a shepherd would he be who never numbered 
the sheep of his fold, and who, indifferent to the 
safety of his flock, would rather have it thinned 
and diminished, through repeated losses, than to 
exercise the necessary vigilance and industry for 
the prevention of such misfortunes ? Such a 
shepherd would not be worthy of the name. 
" The leader is expected to visit the members 
of his class at their own houses, especially when 
they are sick or confined, as often as his eircum- 



60 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

stances will admit." — Bishop's Notes to Disci- 
pline. 

It may be alleged that this would take up more 
time than we could reasonably expect men, who 
have their secular avocations to attend to, to de- 
vote to this service. But the old adage, — 
"where there is a will, there is a way," will 
hold good in this case. By pursuing a proper 
course, the absentees will not be so numerous 
but what, with occasional visits, (which may be 
made in the intervals of business,) and words of 
counsel, dropped now and then by the way-side, 
as you may chance to meet them, every case 
may be met, and the satisfaction be enjoyed of 
having discharged an imperious duty, 

Although this is a common-sense view of the 
subject, and in accordance with our general 
rules, it does not, I am sorry to say, indicate the 
general character of our leaders. Perhaps where 
there is this unwavering official fidelity, the case 
constitutes an exception, rather than otherwise, 
to what more generally obtains. A large num- 
ber of leaders, if our opportunities for observa- 
tion have been worth anything, seem to satisfy 
themselves by simply meeting those of their 
members who are present in the class-room, 
* without giving themselves any concern for those 
who are absent. And such absentees are seldom 



PASTOKAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 61 

if ever favoured with a pastoral visit, the design 
of which is, " to inquire how their souls prosper," 
except it be by the preacher of the station or 
circuit. That there are worthy and indefatiga- 
ble men, who faithfully discharge this duty, must 
be admitted, but we are now stating what is 
more generally the case. These things ought 
not so to be. * The very thing" (as Mr. Wesley 
termed it) designed by class-meetings is thus 
lost sight of. The frequent counsel and admo- 
nition, the constant pastoral care, so much 
needed, and to provide for which this office was 
instituted, becomes a thing that was. As well 
have no leaders. The duty we speak of is too 
important to be thus neglected by him who has 
voluntarily, at the call of the preacher in charge, 
assumed this office. * Cast ye up, cast ye up, 
prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block 
out of the way of my people." (Isa. Ivii, 14.) 

On this point, as it is a very important one, I 
beg leave to add a quotation from Fish's Manual 
for Class-leaders : — " In many instances where 
leaders neglect their absentees, we fear the will 
is wanting. To mv certain knowledge, there are 
many leaders who never go after their absent 
members ; or, if they do, it is very, very seldom. 
If their members come to class, well ; and if they 
do not, there is no concern manifested. I have 



62 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

known several instances of members having been 
absent from class for a quarter of a year in suc- 
cession ; and when the minister at the quarterly- 
visitation has asked the reason of this, the leader 
has not been able to give one, and has reluctantly 
acknowledged that he has had no interview with 
the parties during this period. Such leaders, I 
hesitate not to affirm, have lost the spirit of their 
office. The loss which the Methodist connexion 
sustains from this cause alone is incalculable. 
Many, through a variety of causes, become care- 
less and negligent, or they fall into temptation, 
or they get a little involved in their temporal 
circumstances, and become remiss in their atten- 
tion to Christian communion, and because they 
are not sought after, they go back again into the 
world, and have no more place among us. 
Hundreds, if not thousands, of members are 
sacrificed annually, because they are not visited 
when they begin to absent themselves from class. 
You, as a leader, ought to feel this, and ought 
to ask, ' Am I implicated ? Have any been 
lost through my negligence V I admit you are 
much engaged in your worldly calling, and have 
but little time which you can devote to this pur- 
pose; but, notwithstanding this, you might, if 
you were so disposed, so arrange matters as to 
see all the members to whom you can have ac- 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 63 

cess, according to rule. And here allow me to 
ask, Do you not spend more time (perhaps much 
more time) eveiy week in ease and self-indul- 
gence, or in trifling, or in doing nothing, than it 
would take to visit the absent members of your 
class ? Does not your neglect more frequently 
arise from want of disposition, or want of zeal, 
or want of love to souls, than want of time ? 
Have you not very often an uneasy mind respect- 
ing this ? Does not conscience frequently re- 
prove and condemn you ? And might not these 
inward conflicts and painful feelings be brought 
to an end by taking up your cross, and doing 
that which would greatly tend to promote the 
good of souls, the welfare of the Church, and 
the glory of God — by going to see your members, 
when your members do not come to see you ? 
Be no party to the loss of the connexion, and the 
declension of the Church.'' — Pp. 89, 90. 

6. Another duty of the leader, indicating the 
pastoral character of his office, is at the leaders' 
meeting, "To inform the minister of any that 
are sick." — Discipline, p. 21. 

It is supposed, that in the care which he has 
exercised over his flock, he has searched out 
these lame ones, and, for an increased amount 
of attention, refers them to the chief pastor of 
the Church. a In seasons of affliction, whether 



64 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

personal or domestic, the people of your charge 
will need additional comfort and encouragement ; 
and they will, as a matter of course, expect to 
see you. Never let them be disappointed. 
Never let them have to complain, and say, < I 
have been ill, confined to my bed or house for 
some weeks, and my leader has never visited 
me.' Go to them when they are afflicted, and 
if they are broken, try to bind them up ; and if 
they are distressed, comfort them ; and if they 
are beset by the enemy of souls, endeavour to 
break the snare; and pray for them, that they 
may be healed. Remember, it is written, ' The 
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord 
shall raise him up ; and if he have committed 
sins, they shall be forgiven him/ (James v, 15.) 
Let them so share in your sympathy, as to be 
afflicted, in some degree, like the Saviour, in all 
their afflictions." — Fish's Manual. 

7. If sufficient has been said to establish the 
pastoral character of the leader's office, then it 
follows, as a necessary consequence, that the 
leader should be foremost in all the means and 
arrangements which are designed for the reli- 
gious profit and improvement of the Church 
generally. 

The class is a part of the Church, and must, 
as a general thing, share in the prosperous or 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 65 

adverse state of things that may prevail. Hence, 
whatever affects, in any way, the interests of the 
Church, must also, in the same manner, affect 
the individual class. Hence the prominence and 
zeal which is expected from the leader in all the 
enterprises and movements of the Church. In 
the love-feast, the general band or fellowship- 
meeting, and in the prayer-meeting, he should 
be present, and is regarded as the proper per- 
son to take an active part, and a general lead on 
such occasions. His task is not accomplished 
by simply meeting his class. His example in 
the respect named, and the influence he thereby 
exerts upon the members of his class, in common 
with the Church generally, are of too great im- 
portance to be overlooked. If, therefore, he has 
a pastor's heart, and realizes to then* full extent 
the obligations that devolve upon him, he will 
be found in punctual attendance upon these 
general means of grace. Many leaders, however, 
act in a very different manner. They are seldom 
found at the prayer-meeting, and other social 
gatherings, contributing, by their presence and 
fervour, to the interest and profit of the exer- 
cises ; and their example is, in too many cases, 
followed by those of whom they have the par- 
ticular charge ; so that instead of leading them 
to the " green pastures," they are suffered to 
5 



66 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

stray in barren fields, where no food can be found 
for the soul. " For this cause many are weak 
and sickly among us> and many sleep." (1 Cor. 
xi, 30.) Now nothing can be plainer, than that 
the leader who acts thus, neglects a very obvious 
duty, and is recreant to those most solemn re- 
sponsibilities which appertain to his position in 
the Church of God. The flock will follow 
where the shepherd leads them ; and for them 
to flourish in the highest degree, they must be 
guided where they " shall be fed with the finest 
of the wheat, and with honey out of the rock/' 
(Ps. lxxxi, 16.) 

8. Sustaining this relation to the members of 
his class, and feeling this interest in their wel- 
fare, the leader should not neglect to pray for 
them. 

Hereby his interest in the spiritual prosperity 
of his charge will be fed and maintained, while, 
at the same time, he may reasonably look for a 
corresponding answer to his petitions, in the 
spiritual growth and advancement of his mem- 
bers. And if Ms feelings are what they should 
be, this duty will be performed without a 
prompter. His burden of responsibility, his af- 
fectionate attachment to the members of his class, 
and his ardent desire for their progress in Chris- 
tian holiness, will induce frequent and fervent in- 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 67 

tercessions in their behalf at the throne of grace.* 
In reference to them, he will be able to adopt 
the language of the Apostle : — " For this cause 
I bow my knees unto the Father o£ our Lord 
Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in hea- 
ven and earth is named, that he would grant 
you, according to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the 
inner man ; that Christ may dwell in your hearts 
by faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in 
love, may be able to comprehend with all saints 
what is the length, and breadth, and depth, and 
height ; and to know the love of Christ, which 
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with 
all the fulness of God." (Eph. iii, 14-19.) 

9. We may here very properly consider the 
variety of characters the leader has to deal with 
while sustaining this relation to the Church : and 
thus will it be further shown, that his office is 
pastoral in its character. 

° It is related (in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine) of 
the late Mr. Bealey, of Pwadcliffe, near Bury, Lancashire, 
that " on the evening on which he met his class, it was his 
custom previously to spend an hour in retirement, that he 
might have opportunity for self-examination, and interces- 
sion for the members. Often have individuals of his family, 
when walking in the garden, unperceived by him, observed 
him on his knees in his chamber, in fervent prayer, with 
his eyes and one hand lifted up to heaven, whilst the other 
held the list of those for \ohom he prayed" 



68 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

If he would understand how to apply his 
efforts in the best manner, and the elements of 
that spiritual criticism, on the judicious applica- 
tion of which, his success in a great measure de- 
pends, it is necessaiy that he should be familiar 
with the different phases of religious experience, 
as presented to view among the members of his 
class. Otherwise his instructions will be chiefly 
guess-work, of uncertain and doubtful applica- 
tion ; while his want of success causes him to 
mourn, and the greater prosperity of others ex- 
cites in his mind a wonder that they have so 
much the advantage over him. 

Our classes are composed, for the most part, 
of seekers and professors of religion ; and both 
these classes consist of persons greatly varying 
in their views of truth, and in their religious 
experience. 

Among seekers, we find, — 

(1.) The half awakened: those upon whose 
minds Divine truth has made but a feeble im- 
pression, and who, convinced by their under- 
standing and conscience that they are sinners, 
and need a Saviour, connect themselves with the 
people of God, without having very definite 
views of their own state, and without any fixed 
purposes as to their future course. These are 
to be further instructed in reference to their 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 69 

guilt and danger, and to be confirmed in any- 
good resolutions which they may have formed ; 
lest, " when they have heard the gospel, they go 
forth, and the good seed sown in their hearts is 
choked with the cares, and riches, and pleasures 
of this life, and they bring no fruit to perfection." 
(Luke viii, 14.) 

(2.) The awakened : those whose consciences 
are fully aroused, and whose eyes are opened to 
see their lost and undone condition. They per- 
ceive the hideous deformity of their moral cha- 
racter reflected in the mirror of Divine truth, — 
they are made sensible of their aggravated guilt, 
and are appalled by the dangers which thicken 
around them. They find themselves at the base 
of the cloud- capt mountain, enveloped in flames 
and smoke, while its terrific thunders are poured 
upon their ear. They have "come unto the 
mount that might be touched, and that burned 
with fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and 
tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the 
voice of words." (HelT. xii, 1 8, 1 9.) Under these 
circumstances, moved with the peril and misery 
of their state, they are heard to exclaim, "O 
wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me 
from the body of this death." (Rom. vii, 24.) 
Such are to be reminded of the deliverance 
which is had through **. Jesus Christ our Lord." 



*70 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

(Verse 25.) The plan of salvation is to be ex- 
plained in such a manner, that they will find no 
difficulty in perceiving the interest they have 
therein, and appropriating it to their comfort. 

(3.) Among those who are thus awakened, 
many will be found eager to embrace the truth 
as it is in Jesus, while others will be more tardy 
and despairing. You will meet with some who 
are intellectual and refined, and with others who 
may be exceedingly illiterate. In some cases, 
you will find the child in the inquiring group, 
the interesting youth, the middle-aged, as well 
as the man of hoary head and of gray hairs. 
You will be called to counsel those of every 
gradation, as to rank and outward circumstances 
in life, and you will find that by these circum- 
stances material variations have been produced 
in the mental and moral habits of such persons. 

All these cases are to be met by appropriate 
truth. Every one requires, not general, but 
specific instruction; instruction adapted to his 
peculiar cast of mind, his former habits, his pre- 
sent connexions and circumstances in the world, 
and the mode or measure in which " the grace 
of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared'' 
unto him. It is evident that a very different 
course is required in some cases, from that which 
it would be proper to pursue in others. Some, 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 71 

without any difficulty, comprehend the gospel 
plan, and immediately lay hold, by faith, of the 
Saviour, while others are a long time " hindered, 
through unbelief," from realizing their interest 
in the promises. Some minds have been familiar 
with evangelical truth from an early period of 
life, while others, in gross ignorance of all that 
appertains to the atonement of the cross, come, 
inquiring, " What must we do to be saved ?" 
The leader then should be ready for all these 
cases, as they may occur. 

But the great bulk of those composing our 
classes, are such as profess religion. These also 
are to' be dealt with according to the various as- 
pects under which their experience may be pre- 
sented to view. You are to " give to each their 
portion in due season," being always careful that 
your instructions shall correspond with the reli- 
gious character and circumstances of every one. 
Some require a knowledge of the " first princi- 
ples of the doctrine of Christ," and others need 
to be urged to "go on to perfection." (Heb. vi, 1.) 
Some require to be fed " with milk," and others 
with " strong meat," being " of full age," and 
" by reason of use having their senses exercised 
to discern both good and evil." (Heb. v, 13, 14.) 
Let us consider these different orders of Christian 
professors. 



*72 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

(1.) And first, we notice those who have been 
recently converted. They need to be made ac- 
quainted with the obligations of the new cha- 
racter which they have assumed. It is perfectly 
in place, and required by your relation to. them, 
that you should take suitable opportunities to 
instruct them in reference to the nature and ob- 
ligation of Christian baptism ; that you should 
explain to them the import of the Lord's supper, 
and their duty of participating therein ; and that 
you should lead the way to the performance of 
every other duty devolving upon them. They 
are inexperienced in most that concerns a reli- 
gious life. They are " babes in Christ." Their 
preconceived views of Christian experience are 
likely to be disappointed. The conflicts and 
trials to which they are liable, may prove, per- 
haps, to be more protracted and severe than has 
been anticipated, if an entire exemption there- 
from has not been expected. They are, conse- 
quently, liable to temptation on this account. 
The fiery darts of the enemy annoy and harass 
them. They therefore need a counsellor and 
friend, — such a one as will lead them along 
step by step, as they may be able to bear it, 
neither too fast nor too slow, but so as to ensure 
steady and increasing progress in Divine know- 
ledge and enjoyment. The first symptom of a 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 73 

wavering mind is to be detected, any moral de- 
linquency which exists is to be pointed out, all 
Scriptural motives calculated to produce fidelity 
in the performance of duty are to be urged, and 
the greatest diligence and care employed to build 
them up in their "most holy faith, " upon the 
" foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." 

(2.) You will also have under your care those 
of more mature experience, who have perhaps 
been long in a justified state. They have im- 
proved the light and grace of regeneration. 
They have maintained in themselves the witness 
of then adoption. Then names are written in 
heaven, and they feel persuaded that they are 
"heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. ,, 
But further than this they have not gone. It is 
for you to show them the way to higher attain- 
ments, to urge them forward in the heavenly 
race, to insist upon the obligation they are under 
to be holy, to explain the promises, and enforce 
the commands bearing upon this point; that thus 
you may be able, when your work is complete, 
to " present every man perfect in Christ Jesus/'* 

° The folio-wing extract will illustrate the duty of leaders, 
in the- particulars above noticed : — 

11 Formerly, it was usual, in some societies, for the leaders 
to devote their first meeting in each quarter to spiritual 
conversation. 



74 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

(3.) You will meet with some who are cold 
and formal in their exercises, and who give good 
evidence that they are strangers to experimental 
religion. However melancholy the fact, and 

" On one of these occasions, at B , in the year 1822, 

but few of the leaders were present, and there appeared but 
little inclination to speak. The late Eev. Henry Moore pre- 
sided, and after a short pause, perceiving the disposition of 
the meeting, leaned forward on the table at which he was 
sitting, and in a familiar manner spoke to the following 
effect : — 

" Christian experience commences, in some instances, by 
almost imperceptible degrees. Divine light beams upon the 
mind of an individual, and discovers to him that, without 
true religion, he cannot be happy. Under this conviction, 
he resolves upon a certain course, in which he hopes eventu- 
ally to secure the object of his desires. He proposes to 
lead a new life, and makes various good resolutions, deter- 
mining, however, to say nothing of his purposes, until he 
shall have been able to carry these resolutions into practice. 
But the more he strives to do this, the more he discovers of 
his proneness to sin, of his inability to please God, and of 
the wickedness of his heart, till at length his mind becomes 
so distressed, he can no longer conceal his convictions, and 
he begins earnestly to inquire what he must do to be saved. 
* ' Amongst the Methodists, there are many who would un- 
derstand his feelings, kindly take him by the hand, and 
conduct him to a class-meeting. There he would learn the 
simple way of salvation, and the willingness of Christ to 
receive the true penitent ; and when an individual is thus 
broken for sin, and from sin, it is astonishing with what 
readiness and power he receives the message that Christ 
died for his salvation. In most cases, immediately the peni- 
tent believes he is filled with unutterable joy. His ecstasy 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 75 

however much we may deplore it, such persons 
are to be found in every Christian Church ; and 
it cannot be denied, that their influence is frigid 
and chilling whenever it is felt. These persons 

is so great, that lie is led to conclude that the work in him 
is at once complete ; that he has not only become a child 
of God, but must ever remain so ; that his hill is already so 
strong, it will never be moved. 

" These thoughts, however, are not from God, for they 
are delusive, and lead to unwatchfulness. Of this his spi- 
ritual enemy is ready to take an early advantage ; and find- 
ing him off his guard, presents a temptation for which he is 
not prepared. As might be expected, he is easily overcome, 
and is now distressed beyond measure, and filled with con- 
fusion of face. Ashamed to lift his head, he shuns the 
society of his Christian companions, especially the happy 
social means in which he obtained reconciliation with God, 
and experienced so much joy ; and, in all probability, unless 
the leader, or some pious friend, seek and invite him to re- 
turn, he will find a growing aversion to these spiritual 
means. ' Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, ye 
which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meek- 
ness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.' We 
are thus taught not to abandon, but to follow the sinner, 
and encourage him again to seek for mercy. At length, if 
prevailed on to return, he becomes more penitent than ever. 
Again he is encouraged to look by faith to Christ, and again 
he is reconciled. Again he rejoices — but now it is with 
trembling — for he not only sees that his fall might have 
proved his utter ruin, but he has thereby acquired a better 
knowledge of himself, and of the devices of Satan. He is 
convinced that he is not beyond the reach of his enemy, as 
he was ready to imagine, but that he is still liable to be 
tempted ; and has learned, by painful experience, that it is 



^76 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

may have the externals of religion, they may 
attend church, observe the sacraments, and be 
regular in meeting their class. The morality 
of their conduct is perhaps unexceptionable, and 
they may do much, in a pecuniary way, for the 
maintenance of the Church and her benevolent 
institutions; but, at the same time, while per- 
haps they know it not, they are " wretched, and 

possible to fall. Now made sensible of his danger, he en- 
deavours to keep his heart with all diligence, but soon be- 
comes concerned to find that when temptation is presented, 
there is in him a disposition to yield, if he might do so with 
impunity. He revolves the temptation in his mind, but the 
fear of grieving the Spirit, bringing himself into condemna- 
tion, and perhaps falling finally, causes him to start as from 
the brink of ruin, and to exclaim with one of old, ' How 
can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ?' Look- 
ing up for Divine help, he resists the devil, and is preserved 
from falling. 

" Here, then, it appears, that although he enjoys the for- 
giveness of sin, and the favour of God, there is still in him 
an evil heart, which, particularly when temptation is pre- 
sented, is prone to depart from God. 

" In this we discern the distinction between the merely 
justified believer, and one whose heart is purified by faith. 
When an individual believes with all his heart in the 
cleansing blood of Christ as availing for him, he obtains 
what we denominate ' full salvation,' a deliverance from 
this inbred sin, this inclination of the heart to side with 
temptation. Such a one may say with our Lord, ' Satan 
cometh, and hath nothing in me.' The fiery dart may be 
thrown, but it strikes as against a wall, it does not fix."— 
Class-leader 1 8 Magazine, (London,) pp. 6-9. 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 77 

miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." 
(Rom. iii, 17.) These nominal Christians are to 
be searched and weighed in the balance. It is 
your duty to present their obligations in a clear 
light, and, if possible, to arouse them from their 
lethargic stupor. You are to show them the 
danger of such a state, and the necessity of being 
truly born again, and of agonizing " to enter in 
at the strait gate." 

(4.) The backslider also will come under your 
notice. 

All who experience pardon do not retain it. 
Through the power of temptation, and a neglect 
to exercise the necessaiy vigilance, or by the 
neglect of some duty, or the commission of some 
sin, their evidence becomes clouded, and the 
witness of their gracious state finally lost, so that 
they are in imminent danger of " drawing back 
to perdition." And now they " deny the power 
of godliness," having nothing left but "the form." 
They become strangers to the joy, and triumph, 
and hope of the believer, and settle down in a 
state of false security, where uncertainty and 
gloom rest upon all the prospect of the soul. It 
is not always an easy matter to reach such a 
case, and effect the restoration which is needed. 
But if you would avoid the prevalence of a most 
deadly influence among the members of your 



78 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

class, and prevent those consequences to the 
Church generally, which prove a source of pious 
grief to all who " love our Lord Jesus Christ in 
sincerity," you must not think to satisfy your- 
selves with anything short of the most strenuous 
effort, for the purpose of removing this fatal con- 
tagion. And such effort will often find its re- 
ward in the most encouraging success, and you 
will have the honour and satisfaction of having 
reclaimed from error and apostasy the faithless 
ones for whom Christ died. This is an object 
worth your toil. And remember, this is your 
duty, as a shepherd of souls. 

In many cases you may prevent entire apos- 
tasy, by discovering the first symptoms of reli- 
gious declension, and by the use of proper means 
to arrest their further development. The first 
absence from class, or the neglect of the prayer- 
meeting and other means of grace, should be 
distinctly marked. Or when places of public 
amusement, and parties for social pleasure, are 
preferred to the communion of saints, you should 
be admonished that there is need of your friendly 
and judicious interference. Thus by being " jeal- 
ous over them with a godly jealousy," you may in- 
duce them to "repent" and do their " first works," 
and prevent them from " treading under foot 
the Son of God, and counting the blood of the 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 79 

covenant, wherewith they were sanctified, an un- 
holy thing, and doing despite to the Spirit of 
grace." (Heb. x, 29.) 

(5.) It is particularly important that you 
should look to those who are " weak in faith." 

These are generally timid and backward, and 
sometimes disposed to waver in their purposes. 
They are frequently found " in heaviness through 
manifold temptations/ ' and are harassed by dis- 
tressing doubts and fears. " Fightings without, 
and fears within," keep up the din of incessant 
warfare. Through these means their comfort in 
religion is greatly abated, and " the consolations 
of God are small with" them. They therefore 
need to be "rooted and grounded in love," to 
be " strengthened, stablished, settled." You 
are to build them up in Christ, and to exhort 
them as did Moses the children of Israel, — " Be 
strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be 
afraid of them ; for the Lord thy God, he it is 
that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor 
forsake thee." (Deut. xxxi, 6.) Endeavour to 
settle them upon the rock, and to establish their 
goings " in the way everlasting." For this pur- 
pose, you are to withdraw their attention from 
themselves, and to fix it on Christ — on his all- 
sufficiency as a Redeemer — his faithfulness, and 
the immutability of his promises — on their duty 



80 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

and privilege to claim an interest in all the pro- 
visions of his atonement, and to walk by faith in 
him, as the Captain of their salvation. Thus 
will you help them to " fight the good fight," to 
gain the victory, and to "lay hold on eternal 
life." 

(6.) Others again will be of an opposite cha- 
racter. Instead of being timid and backward, 
they will be bold and forward, harassed by no 
doubts, and dreaming of no uncertainty as to 
their ultimate salvation. Such are included in 
most revivals of religion, and seem at first to 
give promise of much future usefulness in the 
Church of God. But their zeal is not always 
maintained in its primitive vigour. They " run 
well for a season," and then grow cold and dis- 
tant, until by degrees they become estranged 
from Christ and his cause. And yet, by a pru- 
dent course, these persons may often be saved 
to the Church, and be made ornamental and 
useful members. By gently repressing their 
forwardness, and giving the kind of instruction 
which is needed, as to their proper place and 
incumbent duties, they will be controlled as by 
a guiding rein, their minds will be prepared for 
temptation ; and instead of " enduring only for a 
little while," they may become permanently at- 
tached to the Church, and be made effectually 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 81 

to serve her interests, by the consistency and 
uniformity of their walk. 

(7.) You will also be called " to succour them 
that are tempted." 

The people of God have not only to "wrestle 
against flesh and blood, but against principali- 
ties, against powers, against the rulers of the 
darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked- 
ness in high places." (Eph. vi, 12.) And some 
are peculiarly subject to temptation. They be- 
come "sifted" in the hands of Satan "like wheat," 
and are, at times, inclined to great depression 
and discouragement. Under these circumstances 
they look to you for assistance and counsel. 
That they may " be strong in the Lord, and in 
the power of his might, and be able to stand 
against the wiles of the devil," you are to exhort 
them to " put on the whole armour of God," and 
to "stand, having their loins girt about with 
truth, and having on the breastplate of righteous- 
ness, and their feet shod with the preparation of 
the gospel of peace; and, above all/' that they 
take " the shield of faith, wherewith they shall 
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the 
wicked," and that they "take the helmet of sal- 
vation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the 
word of God ; praying always with all prayer 
and supplication in the Spirit, and watching 
6 



82 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

thereunto with all perse veranee." (Eph.vi, 1 3-18.) 
Remind them that He who is for them is more 
than all those who are against them, and that he 
" knows how to deliver the godly out of tempta- 
tion;" that "there hath no temptation taken 
them, but such as is common to man ; but God 
is faithful, who will not suffer them to be tempted 
above that they are able; but will, with the 
temptation, also make a way to escape, that they 
may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. x, 13.) Thus 
will you strengthen their hands in God, and 
keep the tempter at bay, leaving them trium- 
phantly to sing, — 

" Jesus' tremendous name 

Puts all our foes to flight ! 
Jesus, the meek, the angry Lamb, 

A Lion is in fight. 
By all hell's host withstood, 

We all hell's host o'erthrow ; 
And conquering them through Jesus 1 blood, 

We on to conquer go." 

(8.) Perhaps some under your care will be 
unsound in doctrine, or be disposed to " inveigh 
against our discipline." 

Whenever such persons make themselves pro- 
minent, they are likely to be troublesome, if not 
of serious injury to the Church. It will require 
much grace and wisdom properly to treat with 
them. A headstrong and dogmatic, or an un- 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 83 

charitable spirit, should be eschewed, while, at 
the same time, the necessary degree of firmness 
should be maintained. Let it be known that 
your principles are fixed, and not to be unsettled 
by the controversies which, from time to time, 
may arise concerning church government, or 
Christian theology ; and let it be equally well 
understood, that disputes of this character are 
not to take the place of more profitable, dis- 
course when the members of your class are as- 
sembled for Christian fellowship. 

It is well, if possible, to arrest the spirit at its 
first manifestation. If this be not done, it may 
lead to the most disastrous results, while you 
are not aware of your mistake, until the Church 
is torn by a spirit of anarchy and division, which 
cannot, but with the greatest difficulty, be con- 
trolled.* As leaders, your responsibility is here 
exceedingly great. Your position in the Church 
gives you a degree of influence which you 
would not otherwise possess. That influence, 
it is understood, you have pledged, for the 
maintenance, and not the overthrow of all that is 
peculiar in the doctrines, usages, and discipline 
of the Church. Disappoint not the confidence 
which has been reposed in your fidelity, or the 
expectations which have been cherished concern- 
ing your ability and disposition to control a 



84 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

heterodox or schismatic spirit, as it may appear 
among the members of your charge. 

I here beg leave to subjoin a brief extract 
from Wesley's Sermons : — 

" O beware, I will not say of forming, but of 
countenancing or abetting any parties in a Chris- 
tian society ! Never encourage, much less cause, 
either by word or action, any division therein. 
In the nature of things, < there must be heresies 
[divisions] among you / but keep thyself pure, 
leave off contention before it be meddled with ; 
shun the very beginning of strife. Meddle not 
with them that are given to dispute, — with them 
that love contention. I never knew that remark 
to fail : — ' He that loves to dispute, does not 
love God/ Follow peace with all men, without 
which you cannot effectually follow holiness. 
Not only 'seek peace/ but i ensue it;' — if it 
seem to flee from you, pursue it nevertheless. 
' Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with 
good/ Happy is he that attains the character 
of a peace-maker in the Church of God."— Ser- 
mon on Schism. 

(9.) You are expected to instruct those who 
are. seeking the blessing of Christian holiness. 
Under proper tuition, it is not expected that your 
members will be content in a mere justified state? 
But feeling the need of entire purity of heart, 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 85 

they will be eager to " leave the principles of 
the doctrine of Christ, and go on to perfection." 
They have received the word of exhortation from 
you, and are desirous to press forward in the 
divine life. And now they look to you for fur- 
ther instruction. You should be ready then to 
point them to the " blood which cleanseth from 
all unrighteousness," to explain the way of faith, 
and to bring the Saviour in all his completeness 
and sufficiency nigh unto them. You should 
drill yourself in this work, and become accus- 
tomed to all the habits of thought and feeling 
w^hich it involves. 

(10.) But some of your members have already 
entered this rest. Christ has been " made unto 
them wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctifica- 
tion, and redemption." The all-cleansing blood 
has been applied, a fulness of love possesses 
and absorbs their souls ; and they " live not, but 
Christ liveth in them ; and the life which they 
live, they live by the faith of the Son of God 
who loved them and gave himself for them." 
The experience of these holy souls is peculiar. 
They are led in a peculiar way, have peculiar 
views and enjoyments, and are subject to pecu- 
liar temptations. " They may be tempted to 
unbelief — to presumption — to the world with all 
its vanities, by all its greatness, honour, and 



86 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

beauty — to spare themselves, and be not zealous 
overmuch — to anger, revenge, and every evil 
temper. They may sometimes be more tempted, 
sometimes less. They may be tempted for days 
and weeks, and powerfully tempted, so as to be 
in great heaviness, yea, exceeding sorrowful, even 
unto death ; so that all communion with God may 
appear to be broken off, and be led in the bitter- 
ness of their souls to exclaim, ' My God, my 
God, why hast thou forsaken me ?' In all these 
respects, the disciple is not above his master, 
nor the servant greater than his lord." — Class- 
leader's Magazine, (London.) 

In all such cases you are the proper person 
to administer counsel and comfort, to establish 
them in all the will of God, and cause them to 
grow up in Christ, their living Head, in all 
things. 

10. We should deem our task imperfectly ac- 
complished, if we did not, before concluding this 
part of our work, dwell more at large upon the 
manner in whichji^ class^ sj^QuldLJbe^ conducted, 
for the greatest spiritual profit of its members. 

(1.) As preliminary to the performance of this 
duty, it is presumed that you are acquainted 
with all your members; that their names are 
not only on your class-books, but in your memo- 
ries ; that you know their places of residence, and 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 8*7 

their occupations ; with, all other circumstances 
which are in any way connected with your duties 
as a leader, and the knowledge of which might 
aid you in the performance of them. It is in- 
deed strange, that when questioned, (perhaps by 
the preacher just coming among you,) who such 
and such persons are belonging to your class, 
and where they reside, you should be totally una- 
ble to give any definite information concerning 
them. And yet such cases are by no means 
uncommon. This can never be construed into a 
conformity with our obligations as sub-pastors in 
the Church of Christ. I hesitate not to say, 
that such leaders are unworthy of their office, 
and the sooner they are dispossessed the better. 
(2.) But it is your duty not only to know 
every one, but to " take heed" to every one ; to 
feel the burden imposed upon you; to keep 
continually in mind the precious souls of your 
charge; to cherish towards them more than 
ordinary affection ; and to take every opportu- 
nity of showing them attention, and giving them 
evidence of your care and love. Thus will you 
promote confidence, and strengthen your influ- 
ence over them. And thus will they become 
attached to you as their leaders, and be ready 
to receive your instructions, esteeming you " very 
highly in love for your work's sake." And thus 



88 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

also will they come to " delight in the excellent 
of the earth ;" to greet, with eager joy, the hour 
when they may commune together in the class- 
room, and there tell, in their place, from time to 
time, " what great things the Lord hath done for 
them, and hath had mercy on them" A contrary 
course must lead to a very different result. In- 
deed, it is no great wonder, in many cases, that 
members neglect their class. We can expect 
nothing better, when leaders are remiss in so 
essential a point. Assiduous care and affection 
on the part of this officer, are necessary to ensure 
a faithful attention to duty by those of whom he 
has the charge. 

(3.) It is necessary sometimes that you con- 
verse with your members in private. You can- 
not always enter into those minute inquiries, and 
elicit those minute explanations which may be 
requisite. Many circumstances of which you 
yourselves must be the judges, will render ne- 
cessary such private interviews. And if you are 
anxious to do every duty in the best possible 
manner, you will not think it too much trouble 
to use such means for the benefit of your mem- 
bers, but " in season/' as well as " out of season,'' 
will ply yourselves diligently, to render the ser- 
vice which every case requires. Otherwise your 
instructions will be of too general a character, to 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 89 

be specifically adapted to every individual, and 
great spiritual loss, if not habitual delinquency, 
and final apostasy be the result. 

(4.) But to come more particularly to the 
class-room, we would enjoin, first of all, a rigid 
punctuality in the commencement of exercises at 
the appointed time. " Never let your members 
have to wait for you; the feeling of suspense, 
and the spirit of impatience, and the fear of being 
disappointed, which this occasions, may prevent 
them from getting the good which they other- 
wise would do. Besides, if you are in the habit 
of being late, this will tend to make them so too. 
On the other hand, never wait for your mem- 
bers ; commence at the time, if there be only 
one person present." — Fish, p. 74. 

Some leaders are always behind the time, both 
in attending class and other religious meetings ; 
and although good and faithful men in other re- 
spects, are not to be depended upon for a punctual 
meeting of their engao-ements. Such a habit is 
injurious to themselves, as well as to those inter- 
ests which they are appointed to serve. Wipe 
off this stain, and let it be known that you are a 
minute man, always at your post in good time. 

(5.) Let not your exercises be too long. " Sel- 
dom continue the service longer than one hour. 
Incalculable mischief is often done in families, by 



90 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

keeping servants and others, whose relations are 
not at all religious, beyond that period. If you 
have a large number of members, teach them to 
express themselves in few words, and study 
brevity in your addresses to them. It is much 
better to send them away longing than loathing." 
— Fish, p. 74. 

This advice may easily be acted on, by laying 
aside the habit of desultory remark, which is so 
often indulged in, by diminishing the number of 
verses which are sung on such occasions, and by 
keeping strictly to the point in all your addresses 
and prayers. In this way nothing will be lost, 
but much gained to the real interests of your 
charge. 

(6.) Remember that your members have come 
together for religious instruction. Everything, 
therefore, which conflicts with this end, should 
be, as much as possible, avoided. It is very 
grateful to our feelings, and in a certain degree 
perfectly proper, to indulge in such a strain of 
observation, and in such other exercises as are 
calculated to excite sensations of a joyous na- 
ture ; and it is not by any means to be considered 
as inconsistent with the design of class-meetings, 
to inspire our members with joy and hope. But 
to attempt raising such feelings, without con- 
sidering the spiritual state of those we address, 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 91 

is an error of v^ry serious magnitude. Things 
should not be put out of their place. "We should 
take care how we expose ourselves to the de- 
nunciation of the prophet, — " They have healed 
also the hurt of the daughter of my people 
slightly, saying, Peace, peace ; when there is no 
peace." (Jer. vi, 14.) And we should be equally 
careful not to wound, when the opposite process 
of healing is required. Where reproof, exhorta- 
tion, expostulation, or comfort is needed, let it be 
administered in its place. Aim chiefly at indi- 
vidual application ; and try to produce that devout 
thought, and self-examination, which will end 
in firm resolution, and lead to holiness of heart 
and life. Thus will those who come to you for 
the " bread of life," go away, feeding upon the 
solid nutriment with which you have furnished 
them. To this end, again, it would be well to 
have regard to the domestic relations and family 
circumstances of ' your members. " Ascertain 
whether any of the members of your class, who 
are heads of families, neglect to assemble their 
household for the purpose of reading the Scrip- 
ture and prayer. If any of them do, urge upon 
them attendance to this duty. Show them the 
reasonableness, and the propriety, and the benefit, 
direct and indirect, of so doing. Allow of no 
excuse. If the husband, because of the nature 



92 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

of his worldly avocations, cannqj always conduct 
family worship, let the wife, if she be a devout, 
God-fearing woman, act as his representative. 
If any plead the want of gifts, if they state they 
cannot pray in public extemporaneously, then 
recommend them to use a form. It would be 
better for them to read a form of prayer, than 
to have no family prayer at all. Tell them they 
cannot expect to have the blessing of Heaven, 
unless they thus act, and ' command their house- 
hold after them.' For the sake of their children 
and domestics, and the credit of religion, as well 
as for the sake of their own reputation, see that 
a family altar is erected in the houses of all 
under your care." — Fish, p. 84. 

Enjoin the cultivation of the domestic virtues, 
and the importance of exemplifying religion at 
home, as well as in the Church of God. 

Again, in all your addresses, let common- 
place and irrelevant expressions be avoided ; let 
things be put in a clear light ; make use of plain 
words ; make yourself an ape of no person ; let 
your mind be well stored with appropriate texts 
and phrases culled from the inspired volume ; 
be not too prosy and dull, nor too short and ab- 
rupt ; steer the middle course ; and above all, 
let your heart be well warmed with those truths 
which you may utter. What you like to see in 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 93 

preachers and orators in general, practise your- 
self. Speak with deep feeling, and let the spon- 
taneous utterances of a heart burning with Di- 
vine love tell to those you address, " how greatly 
you long after them in the bowels of Jesus 
Christ,'' (Phil, i, 8.) Let this feeling of interest 
and affection become habitual with you, and 
prompt you in the performance of all your duties, 
and you will " be a workman that needeth not 
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of 
truth." (2 Tim. ii, 15.) 

(7.) In closing this section, M let me observe, 
it devolves upon you, not only to keep together 
the number of members which you have, but to in- 
crease their number. The increase or decrease 
of members in our churches does not altogether 
depend upon the success of the word, as minis- 
tered by the servants of Christ ; it depends 
much, very much, on the activity and efficiency 
of class-leaders. For there are numbers, how- 
ever they may be impressed under the word, 
who never think of meeting in class, and joining 
the Church, until they are invited to do so. 
Some seriously-disposed persons wait for an in- 
vitation for years, and do not get one. This, in 
a great measure, is the fault of class-leaders, or 
members. You ought to acquire the habit of 
observing the effects of the gospel on those who 



94 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

are not connected with the Church, and of look- 
ing after those who appear to feel under it ; and 
you should say to them, * We are journeying to 
the place of which the Lord said, I will give it 
you ; come thou with us, and we will do thee 
good ; for the Lord hath spoken good concern- 
ing Israel.' (Num. x, 29.) I am persuaded you 
could not pursue this course without having 
your efforts crowned with success. How is it 
that some leaders are constantly increasing the 
number of their members, and that their classes 
have so frequently to be divided ? The reason 
is plain : they live in the spirit of their office. 
When they go to the house of God, they ob- 
serve persons who appear to be affected, and 
make inquiries respecting them. They try to 
persuade those whom they find to be religiously 
disposed, to save their souls, and find their way 
to heaven. They are bent upon enlarging the 
borders of Zion, and getting her converts multi- 
plied. They cannot, they will not be satisfied 
without it ; and this is the secret of their pros- 
perity. And, on the other hand, how is it that 
there are leaders, many of them gifted, good 
men, who scarcely ever get an increase to their 
classes ; nay, cannot keep the members which 
they have ? The cause of this is likewise obvious 
enough. They never bestir themselves. They 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 95 

never move a step out of the way to bring a 
soul to Christ, to God, to heaven. If any of the 
members under their care die, or are removed, 
or apostatize, they make no effort to fill up the 
vacancies which are occasioned. They never 
seek those who appear to be lost, and never 
drive back those who have strayed. Such lead- 
ers as these, we fear, ' are at ease in Zion,' or 
they have ' lost their first love/ or, (if they ever 
possessed it,) the spirit of their office. At least, 
they have not that Christian zeal and enterprise 
by which they ought to be characterized. All 
leaders ought to consider themselves as so many 
recruiting officers in the service of the King of 
kings, and Lord of lords ; and ought to be re- 
solutely determined, in the strength of grace, to 
swell the ranks of the Captain of our salvation, 
with persons called and chosen ; and to think no 
self-denial too great to practise, no cross too 
heavy to take up, no sacrifice too costly to make, 
and no difficulty too great to surmount, that this 
may be effected. 0, if all the leaders in the 
Methodist connexion were heartily and zealously 
to co-operate with their ministers, through the 
length and breadth of the land, in endeavouring 
to bring persons wrought upon by a preached 
gospel within the pale of the Church, the most 
high God would soon make us, as a people, a 



98 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

thousand fold more than we are, and bless us as 
he has promised. We should then hear no more 
respecting decrease ! The mouths of our ene- 
mies would be stopped, and their heads would 
be hidden V'—Fish, pp. 92-95.* 

° The following, from the Class-leader's Magazine, pre- 
sents a good example, which it would be well for our lead- 
ers in general to follow : — 

" William Carvosso, as a class-leader, was deservedly held 
in the highest estimation. It was an office exactly to his 
taste ; and for the discharge of its duties he had qualifica- 
tions of no common order. He is an instance of the wisdom 
of employing such a class of men, in gathering and building 
up the Church of God. 

"Few men, however great their attainments in theology 
and divinity, could excel, or even equal him here. Within 
the sphere of the class-meeting, he was a wise master-builder ; 
and how eager inquiring souls were to profit by him in this 
means of grace, is well known to thousands. In many 
places, when it was known he was to meet a class, and the 
room admitted of it, crowds from other classes would come 
to listen to his deep experimental instructions, and to catch 
the fire of his spirit. His visit to a society was often re- 
garded as a sort of era ; for the expectation of the people, 
and the fervour of his soul, when they met ' together in one 
place, with one accord,' often conspired to bring more than 
ordinary influence from above. He was never harsh in 
meeting a class, but he would blend great fidelity with fer- 
vent, melting compassion ; so that however close he came, 
he would rarely give offence. 

" In an early part of my Christian life, I remember he 
once remarked to me, in reference to a member of his class, 
whose unsatisfactory conduct and experience had given him 
much pain, * I can speak to him without much difficulty 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 97 

In view of the foregoing considerations, it must 
be conceded, that an error has very generally 
prevailed in supposing that all the details of the 

when I come to him with my own soul melting under the 
influence of heavenly love.' He considered the class-meet- 
ing a spiritual fold, into which every soul who had a desire 
to flee from the wrath to come, and be saved from sin, 
should at once be conducted ; because he knew, from facts 
almost innumerable, that within the boundary of this infi- 
nitely important means of salvation, holy desires and resolu- 
tions were more happily nourished, defended, and strength- 
ened, than they could be elsewhere. A class-meeting was 
used by him as a grand instrument to promote decision of 
religious principle ; and the good which he did in this way 
is beyond calculation. Here I can speak with confidence, 
for I speak from experience. The kind purpose, and the 
constraining love which he used, to get me to the class- 
meeting, was little short of compulsion. I could not get 
out of his hands. It is right, perhaps I should say, I was 
not at this time what is termed immoral in my conduct ; 
but of the immediate stirring of the Spirit's influences upon 
my own mind, I was then as unconscious as I had been for 
many years before. Yet such was the effect of my being 
brought within the hallowing bounds of the assembly of the 
saints, that before the lapse of twenty-four hours, I was 
quite decided in pursuit of the religion of the heart. I make 
this reference to my own case, to show the importance of 
parents, and class-leaders, and all members of the Church 
of God, using their utmost personal influence to bring every 
hopeful subject under the salutary discipline and influence 
of Christian communion. From this mode of augmenting 
the number of our members, there is no danger of lowering 
the tone of experimental or practical piety, while leaders 
discharge their duty to all such as place themselves under 
their care." 

7 



98 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

pastoral work devolve upon the minister. Lead- 
ers and ministers have, to a considerable extent, 
but one work to do. They both sustain a pas- 
toral relation to the flock of Christ. " E very- 
leader is, in some degree, a gospel minister." — 
Bishop's Notes to Discipline. He is not called 
to preach the word publicly, or to dispense the 
sacraments, but he should be impressed, (in view 
of the work he has to do,) in a very similar man- 
ner as those are who take upon them " this office 
and ministry." The responsibility and magni- 
tude of the work to which he is called, should 
ever rest with appropriate weight upon his heart 
and conscience, and prompt him to that fervour 
and diligence which are indispensable to the 
proper discharge of his duties. This view cannot 
be too strenuously insisted on : because some 
who occupy this office, seem to think very lightly 
of their position, and to be very negligent of its 
duties. A voice needs to be raised, that by "a 
certain sound" they may " come to a knowledge 
of the truth" in this particular. If the minister 
of Christ " watches over souls," so does the 
class-leader. It is his special office to instruct 
the ignorant, to direct the penitent to Christ, to 
build up the believer, to confirm the minds of 
the wavering, to strengthen the weak, to warn 
the unruly, to reclaim the delinquent and back- 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 99 

slidden, to rebuke erroi>to detect the hypocrite, 
to resolve cases of conscience, and to give advice 
and sympathy, and, as far as practicable, assist- 
ance in cases of embarrassment and misfor- 
tune — all of which presuppose a pastoral cha- 
racter. 

There are different grades of office among us ; 
from the ordained ministry, down to those, who, 
as stewards and trustees, take charge of the 
temporalities of the Church. And while we 
would not disparage the incumbents of the last 
named offices, it is not too much to say, that 
the leaders, in their pastoral character, are of 
the first importance in our economy, and inferior 
only to those who preach the gospel. 

This is not then a mere post of honour, but 
one of responsibility and labour. It is an office 
from which we look for the highest and most 
beneficial results. The piety of our members in 
general, and the prosperity of the Church, de- 
pend very much upon the efficiency with which 
those who occupy this position discharge their 
duties. u To the minister is committed the 
general exposition and declaration of the truth, 
and to the class-leader its private application 
and more personal enforcement. ' No public 
ministrations/ says a well-known and acknow- 
ledged authority on this subject, 'will be suffix 



100 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

cient to maintain the life«>f religion in individuals, 
or to preserve the purity of the body without 
faithful leaders.' The Wesleyan class-meeting, 
as a means of grace, has been greatly honoured 
by God in the instruction and encouragement of 
penitent seekers of salvation, and in the edifica- 
tion of believers. ' When the leader is properly 
qualified, its utility has been found to exceed 
everything which has been advanced in its fa- 
vour. It is not the limit of a small treatise, but 
a life of experience, that can adequately acquaint 
us with all its excellence and worth.' If the 
leader be a person of piety and zeal, his office 
opens before him a field of great usefulness, and 
his class will prosper ; but if the contrary be the 
case, the members will be irregular in their at- 
tendance, and their meetings will be cold and 
formal. If he is content to rest in sins forgiven, 
or to live a little below his privilege, they will be 
the same. But if he is one who, like Enoch, 
walks with God, a man of tried experience, he 
will bring out of his treasury things new and 
old, the people will be edified, and, instead of 
seeking frivolous excuses for absence, will regard 
the opportunity as a high privilege, and one of 
their greatest helps in the Divine life, and mani- 
fest their delight therein by a regular and punc- 
tual attendance, the effect of which will appear 



PASTORAL CHARACTER OF THIS OFFICE. 101 

in the production of a deeper and more pervad- 
ing piety. ,, — Class-leader's Magazine. 

In a similar strain do our early bishops re- 
mark in their Notes to the Discipline : — " The 
office is of vast consequence. The revival of the 
work of God dofes, perhaps, depend as much 
upon the whole body of leaders, as it does upon 
the whole body of preachers. We have almost 
constantly observed, that when a leader is care- 
less, or dull, or inactive — when he has not 
abilities or zeal sufficient to reprove with courage, 
though with gentleness, and to press a present 
salvation upon the hearts of the sincere — the 
class is, in general, languid ; but, on the contrary, 
when the leader is much alive to God, and faith- 
ful in his office, the class is also, in general, 
lively and spiritual. This arises from the nature 
of the Christian plan of salvation. It is the 
same, in general, with a minister and his flock; 
and every leader, as we have before intimated, 
is, in some degree, a gospel minister ; though we 
may add, that among us a spiritual body of lead- 
ers may counteract the otherwise pernicious 

consequences of a languid ministry Our 

leaders, under God, are the sinews of our society, 
and our revivals will ever, in a great measure, 
rise or fall with them." 



102 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

SECTION LT. 
Financial Duties of the Leader. 

1. Leaders were appointed, and classes formed 
at first, "merely on a temporal aecount. ,, 

"It was agreed that, 1. Every member of the 
society that was able should contribute a penny 
a week. 2. That the whole society should be 
divided into little companies or classes, about 
twelve in each class ; and 3. That one person in 
each should receive that contribution of the rest, 
and bring it in to the stewards weekly. Thus 
began that excellent institution from which we 
reaped so many spiritual blessings. " — Wesley's 
Works, vol. vii, p. 350. 

2. The financial character of the leader's office 
will appear from the rule, now in operation, 
which makes it his duty " to receive what" his 
members " are willing to give toward the relief 
of the preachers, Church, and poor ;" and, at 
the leaders' meeting, " to pay the stewards what 
they have received of their several classes in the 
week preceding." — Discipline, pp. 20, 21. 

In changing somewhat the primary character 
of the office, and making it subserve the spiritual 
interests of the Church, it has not by any means 
dropped its original design. 

It is still the duty of leaders to receive from 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 103 

tlieir members " what they are willing to give 
toward the relief of the preachers." 

If they have accepted the call of the minister, 
to assist him, as we have all along supposed, in 
his pastoral work, and if they would so act their 
part as most effectually to accomplish this de- 
sign, then are they called upon to relieve him, 
as far as they are able, from pecuniary embar- 
rassment ; especially, as this was one design of 
their appointment. They are expected to sym- 
pathize with the preacher in all that affects his 
ministerial standing and usefulness. And it is 
well known, that if his temporal circumstances 
are such as to embarrass him, and his family are 
not provided for as their wants require, it seri- 
ously interferes with that freedom and inde- 
pendence of mind which are essential to a suc- 
cessful prosecution of his work ; so that these 
inferior interests are to be attended to, as sub- 
servient to the higher and more important con- 
cerns of his calling. The desire of the class - 
leader to realize that which is of most value, will 
guard him from all negligence and inattention to 
that which is so necessary and indispensable as 
a means. 

The itinerant minister has devoted himself ex- 
clusively to the work of his calling, and it is de- 
sirable that no worldlv cares should interfere 



104 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

with bis evangelical aims and purposes. This 
separation from secular pursuits is made impera- 
tive. Our ministers are required, as in most 
cases they feel it to be their duty, to give them- 
selves wholly to this work. In this respect they 
feel the force of the apostle's direction to Timo- 
thy : — " Thou, therefore, endure hardships as a 
good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that 
warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of 
this life ; that he may please him who hath chosen 
him to be a soldier." (2 Tim. ii, 3, 4.) The study 
and thought necessary to make a man an able 
minister of the New Testament, " a scribe well 
instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, and 
bringing out of his treasury things new and old," 
are not altogether consistent with worldly cares. 
If he would be a " workman that needeth not to 
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 
he must consecrate his entire, his most mature 
and vigorous energies to this work. But if he 
does this, it is necessaiy that others should care 
for his temporal wants. In confidence that the 
Church will not neglect him in this respect, he 
has relinquished all the ordinary means of help- 
ing himself ; that, thus disentangled from worldly 
concerns, he may be able to serve Christ and the 
Church in the most effectual manner. 

But it is also according to the design of God, 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 105 

that the Church should support those who min- 
ister to them in word and doctrine. Express 
provision was made, under the Jewish dispensa- 
tion, for the support of the priesthood, they 
not being allowed to engage in worldly pur- 
suits : — " And the Lord spake unto Aaron, 
Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, 
neither shalt thou have any part among them : 
I am thy part and thy inheritance among the 
children of Israel. And behold, I have given 
the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an 
inheritance, for their service which they serve, 
even the service of the tabernacle of the congre- 
gation." (Numbers xviii, 20, 21.) The same 
principle is designed to apply under the gospel. 
"Who goeth a warfare any time at his own 
charges ? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth 
not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, 
and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? Say I 
these things as a man ? or saith not the law the 
same also? For it is written in the law of 
Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the 
ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take 
care for oxen ? or saith he it altogether for our 
sakes ? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written : 
that he that plough eth, should plough in hope ; 
and that he that thresheth in hope should be 
partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto 



106 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

you spiritual things, is it a great thing that we 
should reap your carnal things ? If others be 
partakers of this power over you, are not we 
rather ? Nevertheless, we have not used this 
power; but suffer all things, lest we should 
hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know 
vhat they which minister about holy things live 
of the things of the temple, and they which 
wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which 
preach the gospel should live of the gospel." 
(I Cor. ix, 7-14.) Again*, — "Let him that is 
taught in the word communicate unto him that 
teacheth in all good things." And this duty is 
enforced by the most cogent and serious rea- 
sons, — " Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : 
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also 
reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of 
the flesh reap corruption ; but he that soweth to 
the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 
And let us not be weary in well-doing ; for in 
due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As 
we have therefore opportunity, let us do good 
unto all men, especially unto them who are of 
the household of faith." (Gal. vi, 6-10.) 

It is just and equitable that ministers should 
be supported by the Church. If we engage a 
person in our service, we expect to remunerate 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 107 

him for his time and labour. We calculate on 
receiving nothing from those who are engaged 
in trade or merchandize, without giving an 
equivalent in return. And are we to lose sight 
of this most equitable principle in our transac- 
tions with those who are serving our highest in- 
terests, when we are compelled to its most 
rigorous observance, in those of our dealings 
with mankind which affect the inferior concerns 
of life ? Is it the greater value of those servi- 
ces which are rendered us by the ministry, and 
the superior motives by which they are influ- 
enced, that justifies us in neglecting to contribute 
to their support ? Or does the superior charac- 
ter of the ministiy raise them above the common 
wants of mankind ? It should be borne in mind, 
that like all others, they are men, and but men ; 
and that they are engaged in a work that con- 
templates the improvement and salvation of our 
spiritual and immortal being. In prosecuting 
this work, they have thrown themselves, with a 
generous confidence, upon the justice and integ- 
rity of the Church ; depending for their temporal 
support upon their voluntary contributions. And 
now can we be indifferent to our obligations, and 
to all sense of honour, and treat the claims of 
these men with criminal neglect ? Honour, 
gratitude, interest, and duty — all say no ! Let 



108 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

me remind you then again, that if this duty is to 
be performed, its superintendence and direction 
devolve, by law, and voluntary acceptance, upon 
the leader. 

This work depends principally upon the lead- 
ers. The steward is an important officer, and if 
he does his duty, materially contributes to the 
financial strength of the Church, and to the fa- 
cility and punctuality with which its indebtedness 
to the ministry is discharged ; but his sphere of 
duty is limited, and has its own peculiarities. 
He cannot supply the place of the leader. If 
he be negligent of the finances of his class, the 
preacher must suffer serious embarrassment, and 
the Church fail to sustain its wonted reputation 
and influence. And, on the other hand, he has 
everything to encourage him in the discharge of 
this duty. Methodism, from the commencement, 
has been sustained in this .way ; and the most 
glorious revival of religion, through the general 
spread and application of its peculiar appliances, 
has been made to bless the world, and to cheer 
onward a militant and expectant Church. And 
the work is, still progressing. Our host is ex- 
tending itself, the victories of the cross multiply, 
and the prospect of still wider conquest en- 
courages our hearts. But let us bear in mind, 
that these results have not been attained un- 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 109 

sought. They have not been reached without 
the employment of adequate instrumentalities, 
and we should never lose sight of the means 
which has hitherto contributed to our prosperity, 
and upon which we are dependent for its in- 
crease and continuance. 

There is no getting along without a system of 
finance. And no financial system works with 
such regularity and efficiency as that which in- 
volves the weekly class collections. Annual, or 
quarterly, or even monthly collections, will not 
compare therewith. In the first place, the 
amount contributed is comparatively small, and 
scarcely felt ; while in the others, it is of greater 
consequence, and too generally parted with in a 
spirit of greater reluctance. And besides this, 
in the more extended intervals there will be 
many changes and removals, interfering with the 
collection of the larger dues, by which a mate- 
rial amount is lost to the Church, and extra ef- 
fort made necessary to realize that amount in 
some other way. And this again puts both 
preachers and stewards to great inconvenience, 
causes a necessity, in many cases, of making 
public our deficiencies, increases the burdens of 
the more liberal, and casts a sort of opprobrium 
upon the general character of the Church. To 
this cause also, (without expressing an opinion as 



110 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

to the thing itself,) we may trace the necessity 
by which, in many places, our people are driven 
to the practice of pewing and hiring the seats in 
their houses of worship. 

'Now a little effort on the part of the leader 
would obviate most of these difficulties, and 
place the Church in a much more pleasant, if 
not honourable, position. To give a small sum 
weekly, will seldom be felt to be a burden to 
your members. " And take care that you, as a 
leader, do not entertain any mistaken notions 
respecting the contributions of your members. 
If the Bible be true, to contribute to the support 
of their ministry is a direct benefit to them. It 
is a source of present and future good. Never 
be the subject of any misplaced sympathy, as it 
regards this. Remember the case of ' the poor 
widow,' who cast into the treasury ' all that she 
had, even all her living.' (Mark xii, 41.) Did 
the Saviour censure her for so doing? Did he 
say she ought to have kept it for her own ne- 
cessities ? No ! He testified his approbation 
by passing the highest eulogy on her, by declar- 
ing she had done more than all her rich neigh- 
hours," — Henry Fish. 

It is to be feared that all is not right here. 
We have sometimes thought that the delinquency 
of the leader, in these respects should be at- 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. Ill 

tributed, in many cases, to bis own parsimony. 
Reluctant to contribute himself, he is fearful lest 
his covetousness should find a just rebuke in 
those solicitations for the manifestation of a 
liberal spirit on the part of his members, which 
it is his duty to press. And hence his neglect 
of this important part of his duty.* Now wipe 
off this reproach. Stir yourself to diligence in 
this matter. Do not undervalue the small sums 
which you may collect from week to week. You 

c * In the Minutes of Conference for 1782, in which con- 
ference Mi*. Wesley presided, there is the following ques- 
tion : — 

" Ques. 32. The Scripture says, Not to keep company, • if 
any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, 
■with such an one, no, not to eat. And put away from among 
yourselves that wicked person.' This is an express com- 
mand, and it is of unspeakable importance. These money- 
lovers are the pest of every society. They have been the main 
cause of destroying every revival of religion. They will de- 
stroy us, if we do not put them away. But how shall we 
know them, without the miraculous discernment of spirits ? 

" Ans. 1. By their own confession. Tell any one alone, 
with all tenderness, * I am to give an account of your soul 
to God. Enable me to do it with joy. I am afraid you are 
covetous. Answer me a few questions, in order to remove 
that fear.' 2. By their fruits. For instance : a man not 
worth a shilling enters our society. Yet he freely gives a 
penny a week. Five years after, he is worth scores of pounds. 
He gives a penny a week still. I must think this man cov- 
etous, unless he assures me he bestows his charity some 
other way. For every man is covetous, whose beneficence 
does not increase in the same proportion as his substance." 



112 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

will find the aggregate amount, which will be 
realized in this manner at the close of the year, 
will far exceed that which is obtained in any- 
other way. Those little rills, which form the 
magnificent and flowing river, are not to be de- 
spised while we gaze upon the rushing tide, and 
are attracted by its majesty and beauty. Let 
the weekly class collections, though compara- 
tively insignificant, be attended to with scrupulous 
fidelity, as necessary to the permanence of our 
institutions, and the progress of the gospel. 
Here is the true multum in parvo of our finan- 
cial system. 

3. The rule we comment on not only requires 
the leader to assist in raising supplies for the 
support of the gospel, but to receive contribu- 
tions for " the Church and poor." 

The clause " for the Church," had reference, 
doubtless, to the purpose for which classes were 
at first organized — as a means of liquidating 
"the debts of the society at Bristol. " When 
the institution assumed a religious character, and 
came to be employed as a means of grace, this 
particular aspect of the thing was, in a great 
measure, dropped. So far as the author can 
learn, the practice never obtained very generally 
of taking regular class collections for the pay- 
ment of Church debts, although during the early 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 113 

history of Methodism, it prevailed to some incon- 
siderable extent. 

The leader is also required " to receive what" 
the members of his class " are willing to give 
toward the relief of the poor." "The poor ye 
have with you always," says Christ ; and it is 
doubtless our duty tenderly to care for them, 
and supply their wants. Mr. Wesley took a 
special care of this class, and frequently solicited 
contributions in their behalf. In order to sys- 
tematize the benevolence of the societies, he in- 
serted this clause in the general rules ; and 
wherever the classes are disposed thus to relieve 
the necessitous and distressed, they make the 
leaders the recipients of their bounty, and it be- 
comes dispensed by the stewards of the Church. 
More generally, however, collections are taken 
up for this object on sacramental occasions, and 
through societies organized for this special pur- 
pose, the same end being reached, although in a 
little different manner from that contemplated in 
this rule. 

That the rule spoken of is to be somewhat 
qualified in its application, will appear from the 
note appended to it in our Book of Discipline : — 
" This part refers to towns and cities, where the 
poor are generally numerous, and Church ex- 
penses considerable." But that occasion is taken, 



114 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

by the license here given, too generally to neg- 
lect the class of persons in question, cannot be 
denied. Some better system than that which 
has hitherto obtained, seems to be yet a desider- 
atum among us. The poor are often among the 
most worthy of our members, and deserving of 
the highest consideration and esteem. But they 
are frequently lost to our Church, by an inexcu- 
sable negligence in attending to their wants ; 
while a greater degree of care and liberality on 
the part of other denominations, less evangelical 
in many cases than our own, secures, not only 
their good will, but frequently their relation and 
influence as church-members. This observation, 
we apprehend, will hold good in reference to our 
Church generally ; but its most lucid proof is to 
be found in many of our country charges, where 
a variety of conflicting interests exist, attaching 
to the different evangelical churches. It would 
be well for us, if we were, in all cases, equally 
active with our sister denominations, in this de- 
partment of Christian benevolence. It is ad- 
mitted that our ability is not always equal to 
theirs, and that we may exert ourselves in vain 
to compete with them in this respect ; but with 
a proper system, we could do what might be 
necessary in behalf, at least, of our own mem- 
bers, and thereby save them to the Church, and 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 115 

acquit ourselves in the performance of an im- 
portant duty. 

4. There is another object closely allied to the 
foregoing, for which weekly collections in the 
classes are to be taken, and which is expected 
to receive the countenance and support of the 
leader. The preachers in charge are " to ap- 
point, in every class within their charges, a mis- 
sionary collector, who shall keep a book, in which 
shall be enrolled the names of all the members 
of the class, and shall collect from each member, 
who may feel disposed so to contribute, at the 
rate of one cent per week, or fifty cents per 
year," (see Discipline, pp. 180, 181,) the sums 
so collected to be appropriated to the cause of 
missions. Thus an arrangement is made by 
which the poor, in different parts of the world, 
are furnished with the bread of life, while the 
necessary measures are taken at the same time 
to dispense the bread that perisheth to those who 
are in want. Is it not a command resting upon 
the Church, — " Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature ?" And has 
the Church done her duty in the fulfilment of 
this command? Is she urging: on her host of 
labourers, as the whitening fields invite their ap- 
proach ? Is it not proper, that, occupying as 
you do so prominent a position within her 



116 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

pale, you should zealously co-operate with those 
,who are seeking to extend the conquests of the 
Redeemer ? " Why has God opened the field 
before us, and whitened the harvest, if it be not 
that we should enter it, and gather the precious 
fruit ? Is the duty of the Church ever limited 
hy anything excepting her utmost ability ? Can 
she meet her responsibilities without exhausting 
her resources ? And who will say that she has 
done this by annually paying into the treasury 
the pitiful sum of twelve and a half cents per 
member ? 

" According to our last Minutes, we now num- 
ber 662,315 members. If we were to average 
twenty-five cents a-piece, the sum would amount 
to $165,578; and if we were to reach fifty cents, 
we should have $331,157. And who doubts 
but that with proper efforts we might reach the 
latter sum the coming year ? We are not among 
the doubters. We believe it might be done— 
and, what is more, we believe it ought to be 
done. If the money could confidently be calcu- 
lated upon, the means of expending it, on pro- 
mising fields, would soon be devised, and men 
for the occupancy of those fields would be 
found. 

" The great want in carrying on the missionary 
work has always been located in the Treasury. 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. Ill 

"When the money has been at command, the field 
has been open, and the servants of God have 
stood forth, and said, Here are we, send us. ' The 
harvest is great, and the labourers are few ;' but 
why ? Not because ' the Lord of the harvest' 
has not provided them, but because God's stew- 
ards have withheld the means to speed them on 
in the noble and glorious work of gathering in 
the sheaves. Through the want of an adequate 
idea of the real necessities of the world, and of 
a corresponding liberality, ' the sinews of war' 
have not been forthcoming, and hence our active 
forces in the field have been feeble and ill-fur- 
nished. 

" It is so obvious, that we need not attempt 
to prove it, that our missionary contributions 
ought to be greatly increased. To say that this 
cannot be done, would be in the face of facts 
known and read of all men ;— to say that it will 
not be done, would be a reflection upon the re- 
ligion, the Christian feelings, of our people. 
And we are unwilling to believe that the Metho- 
dist people will be behind in their contributions, 
when they are fully made acquainted with their 
duty, and are promptly and earnestly addressed 
upon the subject. 

" What we want is an active agency, which 
will bring home to the people the obligation 



118 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

which rests upon them — one and all — to con- 
tribute to the missionary cause, and at the same 
time furnish them with the opportunity to make 
their contributions. They must understand that 
the work is not to be done by a few, but the 
obligation is universal ; and that no one, to whom 
God has given the means, can excuse himself 
from the duty, without incurring a fearful re- 
sponsibility. The voice of the millions who are 
perishing for want of the bread of life must be 
echoed in the ears of the masses — of all, rich and 
poor, high and low, old and young.' ' — Christian 
Advocate and Journal. — 

Now, if, while other officers in the Church are 
doing their part, the leaders would take hold of 
this work, and encourage the weekly missionary 
collections, how easily would the sum mentioned 
in the above extract be raised? You are ex- 
pected, my brethren, to act in this matter in ac- 
cordance with the obligations of your office. Do 
your utmost for the promotion of this most glo- 
rious enterprise, and the effects of your zeal will 
be felt, not only in the corresponding pulsations 
of those hearts to whom you minister, but in the 
raising and spreading of that glory which is to 
fill the whole earth, and attract the gaze of its 
wondering tribes. 

5. We should not overlook in this connexion 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 119 

the means which are directed to be used, for the 
purpose of "raising annual supplies for the 
propagation of the gospel, making up the allow- 
ance of the preachers, &c." — " Every preacher 
who has the charge of a circuit shall earnestly 
recommend to every class or society in his cir- 
cuit to raise a quarterly or annual collection by 
voluntary contribution, or in such other way or 
manner as they may judge most expedient from 
time to time ; and the moneys so collected shall 
be lodged with the steward or stewards of the 
circuit, to be brought or sent to the annual con- 
ference, with a regular account of the sums raised 
for this purpose in the classes or societies re- 
spec tively."- — Discipline, p. 171, sec. v, 1. 

It is enacted again : — " Every annual confer- 
ence has full liberty to adopt and recommend 
such plans and rules as to them may appear 
necessary the more effectually to raise supplies 
for the respective allowances. Each annual 
conference is authorized to raise a fund, if they 
judge it proper, subject to its own control, and 
under such regulations as their wisdom may 
direct, for the relief of the distressed travelling, 
superannuated, and supernumerary preachers, 
their wives, widows, and children.' ' — Discipline, 
p. 174, sec. v, 6. 

" It shall be the duty of each annual confer- 



120 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

ence to take measures, from year to year, to 
raise moneys in every circuit or station within its 
bounds, for the relief of its necessitous superan- 
nuated, and supernumerary ministers, widows, 
and orphans." — Discipline, p. 174, sec. v, 7. 

Some of the plans adopted in accordance with 
the last mentioned rules, as well as the more ex- 
plicit provisions of the first, bring these collec- 
tions into the classes, and of course calculate 
on the encouragement and co-operation of the 
leader. It is not necessary to repeat here the 
arguments which have been already adduced, in 
favour of supporting those who are effective la- 
bourers in the vineyard of the Lord, and which 
will hold equally good in reference to those who 
are breaking new ground, or labouring in other 
circumstances which prevent their receiving a 
sufficient support. The appeal of our Discipline 
should be kept in mind : — 

" How shall we send labourers into those parts 
where they are most of all wanted ? Many are 
willing to hear, but not to bear the expense. 
ISTor can it as yet be expected of them. Stay 
till the word of God has touched their hearts, 
and then they will gladly provide for them that 
preach it. Does it not lie upon us, in the mean 
time, to supply their lack of service ? To raise 
money out of which, from time to time, that ex- 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 121 

pense may be defrayed ? By this means, those 
who willingly offer themselves may travel 
through every part, whether there be societies 
or not, and stay wherever there is a call, without 
being burdensome to any. Thus may the gos- 
pel, in the life and power thereof, be spread 
from sea to sea. Which of you will not rejoice 
to throw in your mite to promote this glorious 
work ? 

" Besides this, in carrvins; on so large a work 

Jo o 

through the continent there are calls for money 
in various ways, and we must frequently be at a 
considerable expense, or the work must be at a 
full stop. Many, too, are the occasional dis- 
tresses of our preachers, or their families, which 
require an immediate supply, otherwise their 
hands would hang down, if they were not con- 
strained to depart from the work. 

" The money contributed will be brought to 
the ensuing conference. 

" Men and brethren, help ! Was there ever 
a call like this since you first heard the gospel 
sound ? Help to relieve your companions in the 
kingdom of Jesus, who are pressed above mea- 
sure. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so 
fulfil the law of Christ. Help to send forth able 
and willing labourers into your Lord's harvest : 
so shall ye be assistants in saving souls from 



122 i CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

death, and hiding a multitude of sins. Help to 
propagate the gospel of your salvation to the 
remotest corners of the earth, till the knowledge 
of our Lord shall cover the land as the waters 
cover the sea. So shall it appear to ourselves 
and all men, that we are indeed one body, 
united by one spirit ; so shall the baptized hea- 
thens be yet again constrained to say, ' See how 
these Christians love one another!' " — Discipline, 
pp. 172-3. 

Now everything which can be said in favour 
of providing for those just mentioned, and much 
more, can be said in favour of a competent pro- 
vision for those who have worn themselves out 
in this work, as well as for those who may be 
dependent upon them, or be left in dependent 
circumstances by them, when they shall have 
gone to receive their reward in the Church tri- 
umphant. "And here I may be permitted to 
say, an object like this ' commends itself to every 
man's conscience in the sight of God.' What 
can be more just, than that some provision should 
be made for your ministers, when, through sick- 
ness or old age, they are no longer capable of 
discharging their regular duties ? The Church, 
during the period they are capable of labour, 
cnly gives them what is requisite to supply their 
present necessities ; and, therefore, they cannot 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 123 

lay up in store against the decline of life ; and 
many of them have but little or no private pro- 
perty ; what, then, is to become of them, when 
their health and strength fail, if there be no fund 
from which they can obtain assistance ? Are 
they to be left to breathe out a miserable exist- 
ence — when, perhaps, they require additional 
comfort and support — in a state bordering on 
starvation ? Every principle and feeling of our 
holy religion say, No ! These men sacrificed all 
their worldly prospects (and the prospects of 
many of them were good) in early life, at the 
call, and for the service of the Church ; and com- 
mon honesty, leaving everything nobler in Chris- 
tianity out of the question, ought to lead those 
who have been benefitted by their ministry, to 
take care that they do not lack the necessaries, 
not to say the comforts, of life, when they are 
laid aside by sickness or old age. The amount 
required from each individual, to preserve them 
from this state of things, is so small, that, taking 
the object contemplated into consideration, all 
reasonable persons would conclude, that every 
member, unless extremely poor indeed, would 
think it a privilege to contribute his quota, and 
would do it with pleasure. 
***** * * * 

" Can a man have ' the love of God in him/ 



124 CLASS-LEADEB'S MANUAL. 

who ' sliuts his bowels of compassion,' and with- 
holds his contribution ? Nay ; can he be a just 
man who does ? Wesleyan ministers enter into 
the service of the connexion with the expectation, 
that bread to eat, and raiment to put on, at least, 
will be provided for them ; and they have a right 
to expect, if they continue in active service until 
worn out, that these will, to a certain extent, be 
provided for them to the end of their pilgrim- 
age. 

" You, as a leader, I am sure, will see the 
propriety and the necessity of this ; and, there- 
fore, will feel it to be your duty to co-operate 
in endeavouring to prevail upon the members 
of your class to do their part in this work of 

Christian justice and beneficence Much, 

very much, depends upo$ your exertions, and 
the exertions of your colleagues in office. If you 
and they feel no interest in this question, it is to 
be expected your members will not ; if you care 
not what becomes of the ministers of Christ, who 
have been accustomed to feed your souls with 
the everlasting truth of God, when they are past 
service, it is not likely they will ; but if they see 
you feel concerned, they will drink into your 
spirit, and do what is required of them with a 
ready mind and cheerful heart. Only bring the 
case fairly before them, and kindly ask for their 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 125 

assistance, and the fund will be ' a memorial to 
all generations.' 

" And now, while I am dwelling on pecuniary 
matters, as you are from time to time mixed up 
with the financial affairs of the Church, allow me 
to digress a little, and to offer a few remarks on 
the general question. They may occasionally 
serve to guide and direct you. There is as yet 
much practical infidelity in the Churches of God, 
as it respects Christian beneficence. It is not 
confined to rich or poor. It exists among all 
classes ; and there are some such glaring exem- 
plifications of it, that I cannot but conclude, that 
in these cases there is either much ignorance or 
much unbelief connected with them. I am free 
to admit, that there is no body of men in Chris- 
tendom which, as a whole, gives so much, in 
proportion to their means, to charitable and 
ecclesiastical purposes, as the Wesleyan Metho- 
dists do ; and yet many of them, in common 
with other professing Christians, act as if they 
did not believe many passages of Scripture which 
relate to the disposal of property. True it is, 
they profess to believe everything contained in 
the volume of revelation ; but do they act on all 
occasions as if they so believed, especially as it 
respects giving ? Take the following passages, 
and consider them with prayerful attention : — 



126 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

*■ Honour the Lord with thy substance/ and with 
the first-fruits of all thine increase ; so shall thy 
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses burst 
out with new wine/ (Pro v. hi, 9, 10.) Now, I 
ask, who does this ? Where are the men who 
' honour the Lord,' both with their * substance' 
and 'the first-fruits of all their increase?' If it 
were believed that, were they to do so, their 
' barns would be filled with plenty, and their 
presses burst out with new wine ;' in other words, 
they would have great temporal prosperity ; — 
would not many do so who do not ? They do 
not, therefore, because of unbelief. 

" ' There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth ; 
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, 
but it tendeth to poverty.' (Prov. xi, 24.) Who 
believes this ? Would not many ' scatter' much 
more than they are accustomed to do, if they 
believed they should increase by so doing ? And 
would many ' withhold' in the manner they oft- 
times do, if they believed it tended to poverty ? 
And yet God says it does ; they do not, there- 
fore, believe God. 

" ' Give, and it shall be given unto you ; good 
measure, pressed down, and shaken together, 
and running over, shall men give into your bo- 
som.' (Luke vi, 38.) Now if Christians cordially 
believed that what they give would be returned 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 127 

in this 'measure/ would there be the nipping, 
and screwing, and grudging, and hardening of 
heart, and closing of bowels of compassion, 
which are frequently practised by many, when 
they are appealed to in behalf of the cause of 
God and the poor ? We trow not. 

" * Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, 
how he said, It is more blessed to give than to 
receive.' (Acts xx, 35.) Again I ask, Who be- 
lieves this ? Do not many act as if the converse 
of this were the doctrine of the Lord Jesus? 
They believe it is blessed to receive ; but so far 
from believing ' it is more blessed to give than to 
receive/ they scarcely believe it is at all ' blessed 
to give/ They would sooner almost do anything 
than give. They seldom do it, except it be 
1 grudgingly, or of necessity / it is seldom * of a 
ready mind/ 

" ' He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also 
sparingly ; and he which soweth bountifully, 
shall reap also bountifully/ (2 Cor. ix, 6.) Who 
gives credence to this ? Do not numbers sow 
as ' sparingly' as they well can ? From the 
small quantity of seed which they scatter, it 
may be inferred they do not expect to receive 
much harvest ; for the Lord " Jehovah declares, 
every man's return shall be in proportion to the 
seed which he sows. If this were believed, as it 



128 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

ought to be, would not some sow more bounte- 
ously than they do ?* 

"It is clear that many professing Christians 
need information on the doctrine of stewardship, 
and the right use of their gifts and property, 
whether little or much, great or small. Give 
instruction to those under your care in these 
things. Teach them to be liberal according to 
their ability; and tell them, as Paul did the 
Corinthians, l that God is able to/ and therefore 
will, '■ make all grace to abound toward them ; 
that they, always having all sufficiency in all 
things, may abound to every good work : being 
enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which 
causeth through us thanksgiving to God.' ' 
(2 Cor.ix, 8, 11.)— Fish's Manual, pp. 109-116. 

But, (returning from this digression,) in thus 
making the office of leader to bear a financial 
character, we are imitating the example of 
Christ's apostles. When they found that the 
temporal care of providing for the widows, by a 
" daily ministration/ ' increased, they said, "it 
is not meet that we should leave the word of 

s « These observations are not intended to apply to many 
of the pious poor in our connexion ; for we bear them re- 
cord, that ' their deep poverty abounds unto the riches of 
their liberality ;' for they frequently not only do to the ex- 
tent of their power, but « beyond their power.' " 



FINANCIAL DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 129 

God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, 
look ye out among you seven men of honest re- 
port, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom 
we may appoint over this business. But we 
will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to 
the ministry of the word." (Acts-vi, 1-4.) Thus 
originated the office of deacons ; and although, 
as is very plain from the entire history, these 
men were zealous and indefatigable preachers of 
the gospel, it is nevertheless true that the tem- 
poral embarrassments of the apostles gave rise 
to that grade of the ministry to which they be- 
longed, and that it was to meet these embarrass- 
ing circumstances that they were appointed. 

Now we do not contend that our leaders are 
equal in all respects to these primitive deacons, 
but we think there is a somewhat striking 
analogy, though not admitting of unqualified 
extension between these two classes of offices. 
They are both designed to relieve the chief pas- 
tor from oppressive cares and temporal con- 
cerns. But while they both have to do with 
the temporalities of the Church, they are, at the 
same time, both pastors, having the care of 
Christ's flock, and dispensing the truth as need 
requires. Sufficient has already been said, to 
show that this is the case with a Methodist class- 
leader ; and that the deacon's office was minis- 
9 



130 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

terial and pastoral, cannot be disputed by any- 
one at all acquainted with the Acts of the Apos- 
tles. These officers were all solemnly set apart 
by the imposition of hands. (Acts vi, 6.) " And 
Stephen," one of them, we read, was " full of 
faith and power," and " did great wonders and 

miracles among the people And they were 

not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with 
which he spoke." And after his memorable ser- 
mon in which he severely upbraided the Jews — 
as "the betrayers and murderers of the just 
One," — a sketch of which is left on record, 
he gave up his life as the protomartyr of the 
Christian cause, and in consequence of his un- 
wavering fidelity to the interests of the truth. 
(Acts vi, vii. Passim.) 

In the eighth chapter we also read that Philip, 
another deacon, " went down to the city of Sa- 
maria, and preached Christ unto them ;" and 
" when they believed Philip, preaching the things 
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name 
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men 
and women." The same deacon " preached 
Jesus" to the eunuch, (Acts viii, 35 ; ) " and pass- 
ing through, he preached in all the cities, till he 
came to Cesarea. (Acts viii, 40.) 

Would that, like these eminent men, our lead- 
ers were also " full of faith and the Holy Ghost !" 



ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 131 

They would then be qualified not only to direct 
the finances of the Church, and thereby relieve 
from perplexing care the preacher in charge, but 
they would be able, like these primitive, holy 
deacons, to exert .a decided and wholesome in- 
fluence upon her spiritual interests, and to ex- 
tend her aggressive movements. Their pastoral 
and financial duties would both command a due 
share of attention ; the one would aid the other, 
and they would continually rejoice in seeing the 
general welfare of the Church promoted by their 
instrumentality. 

SECTION m. 
Administrative Duties of the Leader. 

We now have to consider the leader as an ad- 
ministrative officer of the Church. His duties 
are not confined to the members of his own 
class. He sustains an official relation to the 
Church generally. And so far as he aids in 
maintaining and executing our general regula- 
tions and disciplinary rules, his office is admin- 
istrative in its character. The principal execu- 
tive power is not vested in him ; but, as the differ- 
ent classes of subordinates in our state govern- 
ments are employed in carrying out the plans, 
and executing the will of the governor, to whom 



132 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

is intrusted the chief authority ; so, also, is he 
placed in a position, the duties of which require 
him to aid in upholding the government of the 
Church. 

1. The office of a leader is seen to partake of 
an administrative character, in its requiring him 
to assist the preacher in charge in the exercise 
of pastoral discipline. {Discipline, p. 64, 3, where 
this point is fully presented.) 

2. He sustains this character as a member of 
the leaders' meeting. 

He is here expected to represent his members 
generally, and in particular to recommend those 
probationers belonging to his class, whose term 
of trial has expired, and who are eligible to full 
communion. Attention has already been di- 
rected to this point, and all that it requires is an 
incidental notice in this place. 

Where there is a leaders' meeting, persons 
cannot receive license to exhort without its con- 
sent. The following is the rule upon the subject, 
from the section on the duties of those who have 
the charge of circuits or stations. " To license 
such persons as he may judge proper to officiate 
as exhorters in the Church, provided no person 
shall be so licensed without the consent of the 
leaders' meeting," &c. — Discipline, p. 56. 

A recommendation is also required, either 



ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 133 

"from the society of which" a person "is a 
member, or from the leaders' meeting, " before 
the quarterly conference can confer license to 
preach. (See Discipline, p. 32.) 

3. The leader is an administrative officer, as 
a member of the quarterly conference. By 
virtue of his office he is a member of this body, 
and takes part in all its business, and shares in 
its deliberations. (See Discipline, p. 31. Answer 
to Quest. 1.) 

By considering the business which is trans- 
acted by the quarterly conference, we may form 
an idea of the prerogatives belonging to the office 
of a class-leader as a member of that body. 

It is asked : — 

" What shall be the regular business of the 
quarterly conference ? 

" Ans. 1. To hear complaints, and to receive 
and try appeals. 

"2. To superintend the interests of Sunday- 
schools. 

"3. To appoint a committee to make an 
estimate of the amount necessary to furnish fuel 
and table expenses for the family or families of 
the preacher or preachers of the circuit or 
station. 

" 4. To take cognizance of all the local preach- 
ers in the circuit or station, and to inquire into 



134 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

the gifts, labours, and usefulness of each preacher 
by name. 

" 5. To appoint stewards, the preacher in 
charge having a right to nominate ; to examine the 
characters of exhorters annually, and recommend 
them, if appointed, for renewal of license; to 
license proper persons to preach, and renew their 
license annually, when in the judgment of said 
conference, their gifts, grace, and usefulness, 
will warrant such renewal ; to recommend to the 
annual conference suitable candidates in the local 
connexion for deacons' or elders' orders, and for 
admission on trial in the travelling connexion ; 
and to try, suspend, expel, or acquit any local 
preacher in the circuit or station against whom 
charges may be brought. Provided, that no 
person shall be licensed to preach without the 
recommendation of the society of which he is a 
member, or of a leaders' meeting. Nor shall 
any one be licensed to preach, or recommended 
to the annual conference to travel, or for ordina- 
tion, without first being examined in the quar- 
terly conference on the subject of doctrines and 
discipline. 

" 6. Each quarterly conference shall have su- 
pervision of all the Sunday-schools and Sunday- 
school societies within its bounds." — Discipline, 
pp. 31, 32.) 



ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE LEADER. 135 

We have quoted this section from the Disci- 
pline, in order to show, at a glance, all those 
interests which are to be influenced by the voice 
of the leader. All that is vital to the successful 
working of our system, and the prosecution of 
our work, seems to be made dependent, in a 
great measure, upon his vote. So far as the 
body of leaders make up the quarterly conferen- 
ces, they are to determine appeals coming up 
from the lower courts, to exercise a general su- 
pervision of the Sunday-school cause among us, 
to recommend a renewal of the licences of ex- 
horters, to grant and renew licences to preach, 
to appoint stewards, to control the ordination of 
local preachers, and to try them when under 
charges, as also to recommend those who are 
suitable for admission on trial in the travelling 
connexion. 

We see plainly then that the leader's office 
does not occupy an insignificant place in our 
economy. Very much is dependent thereon. 
If our itinerancy be " the great iron wheel," 
then are its revolutions, and the operations of the 
machinery worked thereby, to be traced, in no 
small degree, to this inferior wheel, of less power, 
but contributing to the momentum and force of 
the larger one. 

We do not mean to say that all this power is 



136 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

found in the leaders, as a separate body, but 
that it is shared in by them as members of the 
quarterly conference. They can, in general, 
however, constituting, as they usually do, the 
majority of the quarterly conferences, give cha- 
racter to the proceedings, and control the action 
of these bodies. Thus our local preachers, and 
even our itinerant ministers, are started here, 
and here is to be found the opening wedge to 
all the great results of our itinerant system. 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 137 



CHAPTER III. 

THE DIFFICULTIES AND TRIALS CONNECTED 
WITH THE OFFICE OF A LEADER. 

In a world cursed by sin, and peopled with sin- 
ners, it cannot be expected that the instrumen- 
talities employed for the diffusion of truth and 
godliness will meet with no resistance, or that 
those who are personally engaged in this work 
will encounter np difficulties. " The carnal mind 
is enmity against God," and so far as it may be 
permitted to have sway, will oppose itself to the 
progress of his cause. And a thousand other 
hindrances — where no fixed and determined 
opposition to the principles of true religion ex- 
ists, but connected in the manner of cause and 
effect, with a world in ruins — will be found to 
arise in the prosecution of any benevolent or 
evangelical enterprise. 

Occupying, as he does, an elevated and pro- 
minent position in the Church of God, the class - 
leader will not be able to discharge his responsi- 
bilities without his share of trial and difficulty. 
It will be well, therefore, for him to prepare his 
mind for these things, to be ready for the storm 
when it may arise, and thus be strengthened to 



138 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

resist the influences which may be made to bear 
against him. 

1. In the first place, you will, without doubt, 
feel the importance of your position, and perhaps 
be oppressed with the weight of your responsi- 
bilities. Much is expected from you, and many 
eyes are gazing upon you. " A city set upon a 
hill cannot be hid." Many wait for your halt- 
ing, and are ready to detect the smallest devia- 
tion from duty or consistency, and to rejoice in 
the occasion you may give for their reproach and 
mockery. You are a mark to be shot against. 
And the honour of Christ is more concerned in 
your fidelity, than in that of the ordinary pro- 
fessor. Everything depends upon the uni- 
formity with which you maintain your Christian 
character, and perform the duties of your office. 
It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if you 
sometimes tremble in view of your situation, and 
are tempted to think that you want the qualifi- 
cations which are necessary to your office. Your 
feelings may vary at different times; you may 
not always be equally fervid and happy, or you 
may not at all times meet with the same amount 
of success in your ministrations and labours; and, 
discouraged by any positive failure, or unfavoura- 
ble change, you may be inclined to relinquish 
your charge. But I advise you not to indulge 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 139 

in these feelings. You have been providentially 
called to take pail in the pastoral work ; you 
stand approved of your minister, as well as of 
your brethren ; and, until there is an intimation 
from the proper source that your services are no 
longer required, it should generally be considered 
as your duty to maintain your post, and to acquit 
yourself in that post, as well as you may be able. 
Always bear in mind your dependence, and forget 
not your privilege at the throne of grace. " If 
any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who 
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; 
and it shall be given him." (James i, 5.) If you 
would serve the cause of Christ, and if you would 
not deteriorate in personal piety, and endanger 
your personal salvation, neglect not "the gift 
that is in thee," and the work to which you have 
been called by the Church. 

2. Like the minister of Christ, you will often 
be tempted to sadness and discouragement, pre- 
vious to those ministrations in which, from time 
to time, you are engaged. "It is very likely 
that sometimes, when you are about to meet 
your class, you will be disturbed by some such 
thoughts as these : — ' I feel as if I cannot say 
anything to my members, much more anything 
to profit them. I am afraid I shall be shut up 
and confounded before them/ Whenever this is 



140 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

the case, notwithstanding you thus feel, go and 
make the attempt, relying on the Holy Spirit for 
assistance, and he will " open to you a door of 
utterance/ On all occasions, when you are thus 
circumstanced, call to mind former times. Have 
you not often felt so ? Have you not frequently 
gone to your class, thinking that you had not 
* a portion of meat' to give to any one who might 
be present ? And has not God, when you have 
gone prayerfully depending on him, helped you 
in that selfsame hour, and given you a < mouth 
and wisdom/ so that you have been able to 
speak, * not in the words which man's wisdom 
teacheth/ but in the words 'which the Holy 
Ghost teacheth/ with a power and a propriety 
which have been a source of surprise to your- 
self, and of blessing to others ? Call these sea- 
sons to remembrance, whenever you are assailed 
from this quarter, and be encouraged by the re- 
collection of them. He who thus ' helped your 
infirmities/ is without variableness or shadow of 
turning. The assistance which he has afforded 
in times past, he will afford in the time to come : 
only trust in Him, and you will never be con- 
founded. 

"It is not unlikely, moreover, that a train of . 
thoughts something like the following will occa- 
sionally become a source of annoyance to you : 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 141 

J I can say nothing to my members which I have 
not said before ; there is no point of experience 
upon which I have not dwelt, no species of 
temptation of which I have not spoken, no kind 
of trial concerning which I have not given advice. 
I shall be necessitated to repeat what I have 
often said to them, and I am afraid I shall weary 
them.' Should it be so, do not let even this 
dishearten you ; on the contrary, try to derive 
good from it. Let it be the means of stimulate 
ing to the acquisition of knowledge, and to the 
improvement of your qualifications. And as 
there are some great and leading truths which 
you must, with a continuance, bring before your 
class, in order to make them as interesting as 
possible, endeavour to vary your phraseology 
and illustrations. This will be a source of relief 
to your own mind, as well as a source of plea- 
sure to them. But, after all, the great secret is, 
to take care that all you say proceeds from a 
warm and devout heart, and that it be accom- 
panied by the gracious influences of the Spirit 
of God. You may give utterance to the same 
ideas, clothed in the same language, a thousand 
times ; and yet what you thus deliver will always 
have a freshness and richness about it, so long 
as it flows from a feeling heart, and is attended 
with the unction of the Holy Ghost. What thus 



142 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

proceeds from you will never grow stale, and 
will never weary those who listen to it. The 
Holy Spirit of God makes that which is old to 
appear new ; and gives to that which is of itself 
dull and unattractive, beauty, and vigour, and 
life. Recollect the language of the great Apostle 
to the Gentiles, t To write the same things unto 
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is 
safe.' Paul found it necessary to write the same 
things, and you will find it necessary to speak 
them, and for a reason similar to the one which 
influenced him, and that is, the safety of those 
committed to your care." — Fish's Manual, pp. 
126-128. 

3. It may also be suggested, that you are dis- 
appointing the expectations of those by whom 
you have been appointed ; that you are not ful- 
filling the designs of your office ; and that you 
should, therefore, make way for a more compe- 
tent person, by vacating your position. 

But surely these thoughts are gratuitous. 
You must suppose the preacher in charge, from 
whom you received your appointment, to have 
acted in good conscience, when he invited you 
to share in his labours and responsibilities as a 
pastor of the flock, and it is hardly becoming in 
you to question his good judgment in continuing 
you in office. The presumption is, that the 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 143 

opinion of others concerning you is more favour- 
able than that which you have formed concern- 
ing yourself, and that your exercises in this re- 
spect constitute only a very common form in 
which temptation is presented to the minds of 
those who are engaged in any good work. And 
as to making room for others, there is no lack of 
opportunity to those who are seeking it to do 
good. The labourers in the vineyard of the 
Lord are not so numerous as that we can well 
spare any well-intentioned, though compara- 
tively weak and inefficient, person, who is willing 
to do what he can in cultivating Emmanuel's 
grounds. " When he saw the multitudes, he 
was moved with compassion on them, because 
they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep 
having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his 
disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the 
labourers are few." (Matt, ix, 36, 37.) Besides 
this, " the amount of good which you do is, in 
a great measure, hidden from you. It is wisely 
ordered it should be so; but, doubtless, it is 
much more than you conceive it to be. But, 
apart from other considerations, let me ask, is it 
nothing that you help to keep up the line of de- 
marcation between the world and a number of 
good people, whom the Lord Jehovah has set 
apart for himself ? Is it nothing that you go in 



144 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

and out before them, and conduct their devo- 
tional services ? Is it nothing that you direct 
penitents, and comfort mourners, and strengthen 
the wavering, and encourage the faint-hearted, 
and edify believers, and give advice and counsel 
as they may be required ? Is it nothing that 
you go after the lost, and drive back those who 
have strayed, and visit and sympathize with the 
sick ? Is it nothing that you help the ministry 
of Jesus Christ, and co-operate with your breth- 
ren to promote the prosperity of Zion ? And is 
it nothing that you are agents in a movement 
which is exerting a greater moral influence in 
Christendom and the world than any other in 
existence ? Are these things nothing ? You 
dare not affirm they are. The good, then, which 
you are the means of effecting is, in the aggre- 
gate, great. It is direct and indirect, visible and 
invisible, temporal and spiritual, present, perma- 
nent, and eternal ; you ought, therefore, to be 
encouraged to persevere, and to be f. steadfast 
and unmovable, always abounding in the work 
of the Lord/ in this department of his service, 
knowing f your labour is not,' and cannot be, « in 
vain in the Lord.' Do not forget that the amount 
of good which you may be the means of doing, 
is not the rule by which you ought to be go- 
verned. Success is cheering ; but duty, not 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 145 

success, is the rule of action." — Fish's Manual, 
p. 129. 

4. You may be tempted on the ground of 
worldly interest. Properly to discharge your 
duties will take considerable time, and that time 
must, in part, though not ordinarily, be sub- 
tracted from the hours of business. You may 
not have so good an opportunity to make money, 
as those 

" Who spend the day, and share the night" 
in the worship of mammon, and the accumula- 
tion of gold. But what are the great purposes 
of life, and what is the nature of the warfare 
upon which you have entered ? "Is not the 
life more than meat, and the body than raiment 2" 
" Man shall not live by bread alone." " What 
shall I eat, and what shall I drink, and where- 
withal shall I be clothed ?" are not the inqui- 
ries that should be permitted to engross the 
mind, and to corrode the heart. " Having food 
and raiment," therefore, " let us be therewith 
content." Ours is a holier and more honourable 
vocation. You are justly expected, in some 
measure, to participate in the self-denial of those 
who " leave all to follow Christ," and to preach 
the gospel. And how many such have re- 
nounced all their worldly prospects for this pri- 
vilege, satisfying themselves with a bare suffi- 
10 



146 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

ciency for the time being, and even that uncer- 
tain, while their maturest energies are employed 
in proclaiming the "unsearchable riches of 
Christ.' ' It is not expected that you will go 
thus far. You are dependent, perhaps, upon 
your labours for a livelihood, and require to be 
" diligent in business," while in a fervent spirit 
you serve the Lord as a leader of the faithful. 
But it is a question, and one not difficult to an- 
swer, whether the most diligent performance of 
your duty would seriously interfere with your 
worldly interests. Perhaps the most you have 
of worldly goods is owing to those habits which 
have been induced by your piety. You have 
found that " godliness is profitable for the life 
that now is," as well as " for the life which is to 
come." Away then with thoughts like these. 
Grudge not the Lord the time necessary for his 
service, and entertain not for a moment the 
temptation which may be based upon this 
ground.* 

s It should be admitted, that in many cases the burdens 
are unnecessarily great which are imposed on the leaders, 
on account of the excessive size of their classes. This evil, 
however, is not always to be laid at the door of the minis- 
ter. It is frequently the leaders' own fault. Many leaders 
would rather attend carelessly to a large number of members, 
than have their classes diminished, by division, to a conve- 
nient size. You should advocate division, when necessary, 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 147 

5. You will find your difficulties, too, in the 
character of those who are under your care. 

Some, on account of their inexperience, will 
be easily led away, and disappoint the sanguine 
hopes you have cherished concerning them. 
Some, on account of their ignorance and want 
of culture, will be exceedingly slow to receive 
your instructions, and others again, of a higher 
grade of intellect, will be inflated with views of 
their self-sufficiency, and will fail to manifest 
that spirit of docility which you have a right to 
expect from them. Perhaps, instead of being 
" swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath," 
they are directly the opposite ; — " contentious," 
and indisposed to " obey the truth." They may 
have permitted prejudice to sour their minds 
against you, they may be unreasonable and ob- 
stinate in their opinions, and at the same time 
inconsistent in their moral conduct. They receive, 
perhaps, the reproofs you administer, in a man- 
ner that does not correspond with your charita- 
ble intentions, and take offence at the close 
scrutiny you find it necessary to institute into 

instead of opposing it. The results will be favourable to all 
concerned. You will be able to attend better to those who 
remain. A single absent member will now be missing and 
inquired after, and the class will prosper and increase until 
ready for division again. 



1-48 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

their experience and general character. You will 
sometimes find uncharitableness and disagree- 
ment among themselves. Instead of going on 
to perfection, they may show their "need" of 
learning "which be the first principles of the 
oracles of God," and be " such as have need of 
milk, and not of strong meat." Or, you may be 
tried with their irregular attendance. Some- 
times they are at class, and sometimes not. 
Sometimes there in good season, and then again 
not coming until you are half way through. 
Perhaps they are exceedingly inconstant. At 
one time very zealous, and seeming to give 
promise of great piety and eminent usefulness, 
and soon after reflecting dishonour upon the 
Church, and wounding its friends by the folly 
and impropriety of their conduct, and making 
you to feel that your labour has been in vain in 
the Lord. Or you may be tried by their penu- 
riousness. You are expected to see that the 
various class collections are attended to, and in 
your efforts to obtain subscriptions, find some of 
your members falling far behind the mark, which 
their circumstances would justify you in expect- 
ing them to approach. Perhaps the more afflu- 
ent members, as it too often happens, give no 
more (if as much) than the poor ones. As a 
consequence, the amount you raise is smaller 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 149 

than what is expected from you, and you may 
be called to bear the opprobrium which justly 
belongs to others. Now as you " have no greater 
joy" than when your members "walk in the 
truth/' and give evidence of spiritual prosperity, 
so all these things, evincing their spiritual delin- 
quency, are a source of pious grief and pain. 
Here is, perhaps, your severest trial. But re- 
member, all God's servants have their trials. 
And those who are most diligent and faithful, 
are sometimes tried with greater severity than 
those who are exercised by no anxiety as to the 
final result of their labours. The most fervent, 
the most prayerful, the most laborious, and the 
most useful ministers of Christ, are sometimes 
called to pass through deep waters, and like 
their divine Master, are made to groan in spirit 
over the multiplied ills which crush a world that 
they aim to save, and render the work in which 
they are engaged more difficult and stupendous. 
Cheer yourself, then, by the company you keep, 
while a source of higher consolation is found in 
that grace, which is " sufficient for thee," and 
which will never fail thee. Expect these trials, 
and prepare to meet them in that spirit which is 
authorized by the unfailing promises of God, 
" Be strong in the Lord, and in the power oT his 
mirfit." 



150 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

6. But after doing your best, you are some- 
times found fault with, and this occasions you 
sorrow. 

" But," says the apostle, "he that judgeth me 
is the Lord." To your own master you stand 
or fall. There always will be captious and com- 
plaining persons in the Church. And frequently 
those who do the least, complain the most. 
Now, I know not that you have anything to do 
with the careless and casual observations which 
may be made concerning the manner in which 
you discharge the duties of your office. One 
thing is certain ; you are not accountable to such 
persons. They have no authority over you. It 
will be time enough for you to be troubled on 
this account, when a suggestion is made by your 
minister that you have committed an error, or 
when, through other friendly counsel, you have 
intimated that there is room for improvement. 
But even in this case, if you have a proper view, 
of the matter, you will perceive that nothing 
more is required than that you should avail your- 
self of such suggestions, so as to make yourself 
more useful and available to the Church. Far- 
ther than this, you are not required to heed the 
rumours and suggestions which float upon the 
wings of the wind, and which, in many cases, 
pass away with the breath which gave them 



THE LEADER'S DIFFICULTIES. 151 

currency. Stand then to your post. Pursue 
the even tenor of your way, through evil report 
and through good report ; and so discharge your 
duty as ever to have impressed upon your mind, 
that you are to give account to God, and not to 
man. With an eye single to his glory, and the 
good of his cause, do your utmost in the station 
which you occupy, without respect to " the 
honour" or good opinion " which cometh from 
man." Thus in the day of his coming you may 
say,— 

" I have fought my way through ; 
I have finish'd the work thou didst give me to do!" 

And then from your Lord you '11 receive the 
glad word, — 

" Well and faithfully done ! 
Enter into my joy, and sit down on my throne." 



152 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

CHAPTER IV. 

ON THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 

This office should not be assumed hastily, and 
without serious premeditation. Improper men 
should no more be found in this office, than in 
the performance of the higher and more sacred 
functions of the Christian ministry. Every man 
is not qualified for the post of leader. Those 
who might do good service to the Church in an 
inferior capacity, or who might be well qualified 
for some other office, such as that of steward or 
trustee, would perhaps greatly disparage the 
cause which they hoped to serve, by being placed 
in this relation, and by being thus made to as- 
sume responsibilities to which they are unequal. 
On this account men should beware how they 
covet this office. Well- qualified men are not so 
abundant as to be left unemployed when their 
services are greatly needed. It is because they 
are not deemed competent that they are not in- 
vited to perform this important part of the pas- 
toral work. And yet there are those in our 
membership who conceive that they are neglect- 
ed, and their talents undervalued, by being per- 
mitted to remain as private members of the 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 153 

Church. They may think that they are as well- 
qualified as many others who are already in this 
office, and they may think correctly. For want 
of the most suitable persons, the preacher in 
charge is often under the necessity of appointing 
those who would otherwise be rejected on ac- 
count of their unfitness. And it cannot be dis- 
guised, that this has become a serious evil. 
There are leaders among us who seem to have 
no just view of their responsibilities, and who are 
utterly without concern as to the manner in 
which they discharge the duties of their office, 
or as to the results of their labour. These con- 
siderations impress us deeply with the import- 
ance of the subject to be discussed in this 
chapter. 

1. In the first place, then, it is necessary that 
the class-leader should understand his position ; 
that he should be acquainted with the nature 
and responsibilities of his office, and that from 
voluntary choice he should bear this burden. 

" No man," says Robert Hall, " ever excelled 
in a profession to which he did not feel an at- 
tachment bordering on enthusiasm, though what 
in other professions is enthusiasm, is, in ours, the 
dictate of sobriety and truth/' 

When men enter the ministry, ignorant of its 
holy functions, and under any other influence 



154 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

than .a controlling desire to discharge its sacred 
duties, and to act well the part assigned them, 
it is the most common thing to hear their con- 
duct spoken of in terms of unmeasured vitupera- 
tion and reproach. And the office of a leader 
is near akin, as we have seen, to that of a minis- 
ter, involving pastoral obligations, and requiring 
unabated diligence and zeal. If the one should 
know where he stands, and what he is about, it 
is equally incumbent upon the other to do so. 
Instead, therefore, of running headlong, and 
jolting in the most reckless manner upon this 
office, the leader should take time seriously to 
consider the nature of this vocation. The Church 
has suffered as much from a loose and irresponsi- 
ble feeling here, as from any other cause ; and 
the man who would occupy this post of honour 
and of toil, can hardly be too conscientious in 
the spirit with which he enters upon his work. 
He should choose this work, and love it too, 
from a correct apprehension of its character, and 
the great results at which it aims. 

2. The leader should be a man of some busi- 
ness talent. System and punctuality are required 
of him in attending to the interests of his class, 
as well as in performing with acceptability and 
profit the other duties of his station. As a mem- 
ber of the leaders' meeting, and of the quarterly 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 155 

conference, it is necessary that he should possess 
these traits of character. At these meetings he 
is called to take part in transacting the business 
of the Church, and should be desirous of every 
prerequisite which will better enable him to pro- 
mote her interest and prosperity. A due appre- 
ciation of the financial aspect which his office 
bears, and a readiness to avail himself of the 
peculiar conveniencies that appertain to his rela- 
tion, for raising the funds which are necessary 
to the purposes of the Church, should mark his 
action. 

Everything should be done with regularity; 
his engagements should be punctually attended 
to, a uniform system should be observed in 
making his collections, his class-book should be 
kept in a neat and business-like manner, the at- 
tendance of every member should be correctly 
marked, and the weekly or quarterly payments 
so noted, as to leave room for no uncertainty or 
mistake. (See Appendix C.) JSTo leader should 
depend upon the minister, or any one else, to 
do this work for him. Let him keep his own 
class-book, and if he has not yet learned to do 
this, he should delay no longer in acquiring that 
knowledge of penmanship and figures which is 
necessary for this purpose. And surely none 
need despair of this, with the example of Car- 



156 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL, 

vosso before them, who, being appointed leader 
at an advanced period of life, learned to write by 
the simple exercise of marking weekly the at- 
tendance and payments of his members, and in 
time became quite a voluminous letter- writer, so 
as to have bequeathed to the Church a very 
valuable correspondence. 

These, it is admitted, are secular, and some- 
what inferior concerns in themselves, but from 
their intimate connexion with the spiritual inter- 
ests of the Church, and the dependence of all 
our movements thereon, they are to be regarded 
as assuming something more than a mere tem- 
poral and worldly aspect. A man is conse- 
quently unfit for this office, who refuses thus to 
consider it, and who does not act in harmony 
with such a view. A proper attention must be 
paid to this subject. Some pains must be taken 
to cultivate a talent for business and finance, 
without considering ourselves at liberty to neglect 
or attend to it at pleasure. " He that is faithful 
in that which is least, is faithful also in much. 
If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the 
unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your 
trust the true riches?" (Luke xvi, 10, 11.) 

3. Leaders should be men of sound judgment. 
They should have some discernment of charac- 
ter, and a knowledge of human nature, and be 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 15 7 

able to determine on the most judicious means 
for reaching all the ends of their appointment. 
Their entire career of official duty should show 
that they have not run listlessly upon an errand, 
but are well-advised as to every step, and that 
with becoming caution and wisdom they tread 
the path before them. 

Some decision and strength of mind will be 
necessary to sustain them in the varied and 
chano-in^ circumstances of their relation. Dif- 
ferences of opinion may exist as to their qualifi- 
cations in general, or as to the wisdom of their 
particular measures ; but they should not be 
easily turned aside by the conflicting, and often 
unreasonable views of the multitude. 

Whether the leader be employed in the pas- 
toral duties of his office, or act as a financier in 
behalf of the Church, or aid in the administra- 
tion of discipline, he is to repose his mind upon 
the strict integrity of his purposes, and the strong- 
conviction he entertains of the practicability and 
wisdom of his plans, without being " driven with 
the wind, and tossed" on every rolling wave. 
" The wisdom of the prudent is to understand 
his way." " Good understanding giveth favour." 

4. This officer should also have some talent for 
speaking, — some gift of exhortation and prayer. 

They are called upon weekly to commimicate 



158 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

more or less of divine truth, in the form of the 
varied instructions, which the different members 
of their class require. They are expected, in 
some instances, to resolve cases of conscience, 
and to meet difficult states of religious experience. 
It is, therefore, necessary that they should have 
at command appropriate texts of Scripture, and 
be able to deliver themselves in an intelligible 
and impressive manner. " They must impart 
intelligence as well as awaken emotion ; and in 
order to overcome the apathy and imbecility of 
the great mass, the intelligence they would com- 
municate must be, first, thoroughly compre- 
hended by themselves, and then clothed with all 
the attractions and power of an able delivery." — 
Clarke's Mental Discipline, p. 119. 

The changing aspects of Christian experience, 
and the multiplied conflicts of a religious life, 
require no ordinary tact in adapting our counsels 
thereto, and thus endeavouring to promote the 
designs of Christian communion. An effort then 
should be made to cultivate this gift. The leader 
should consider himself as obligated to use every 
means to qualify himself for the most efficient 
discharge of his duties. No labour should be 
considered as too difficult, and no effort as too 
unremitting and wearisome, for the accomplish- 
ment of an object so necessary and important. 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 159 

By a regular and diligent study of the Holy 
Scriptures, by a perusal of our standard authors, 
and by a general discipline of your mental pow- 
ers, as circumstances will admit, you will render 
yourselves competent for all the ordinary duties 
of your station, and be able to sustain yourselves 
honourably and usefully in the position to which 
in the providence of God you are assigned. Due 
effort in this department, persevered in and con- 
tinued for a sufficient length of time, will not fail 
of its reward. And it should certainly be the 
holy ambition of every man, called to fill a re- 
sponsible situation in the Church of God, to ob- 
tain the highest possible qualifications for his 
office. " There is gold, and a multitude of ru- 
bies : but the lips of knowledge are a precious 
jewel." (Prov. xx, 15.) 

5. While thus endeavouring to acquire the 
talent of speaking in public, you are subjecting 
your mind to discipline and cultivation, and at 
the same time enlarging your stock of religious 
knowledge. And this is very essential. " No 
man is obliged to learn and know everything. 
This can neither be sought nor required ; for it 
is utterly impossible. Yet all persons are under 
some obligation to improve their own understand- 
ing. Otherwise it would be a barren desert, or 
a forest overgrown with weeds and brambles. 



1G0 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

Universal ignorance or infinite errors will over- 
spread the mind which is utterly neglected, and 
lies without any cultivation." — Dr, Waits. 

If this be true of men in general, it certainly 
holds good in relation to those who are " pastors 
and teachers" in the Church of God. It would 
be well, therefore, for you to practise upon ano- 
ther lesson inculcated by the same author: — 
" Once a day, especially in the early years of 
life and study, call yourselves to an account, and 
consider what new ideas, what new proposition 
or truth you have gained, what further confirma- 
tion of known truths, and what advances you 
have made in any part of knowledge ; and, if 
possible, let no day pass away without some in- 
tellectual gain. Such a course, well pursued, 
must certainly advance us in useful knowledge. 
It is a wise proverb among the learned, borrowed 
from the lips and practice of a celebrated painter, 
Nulla dies sine linea, 'let no day pass without 
one line at least ;' and it was a sacred rule among 
the Pythagoreans, that they should every even- 
ing thrice run over the affairs and actions of the 
day, and examine what their conduct had been, 
what they had done, or what they had neglected ; 
and they assured their pupils, that by this 
method, they would make a noble progress in 
the path of virtue. 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 161 

"Nor let soft slumber close your eyes, 
Before you 've recollected thrice 
The train of actions thro' the day. 
Where hare my feet chose out the way ? 
WTiat have I learnt, where'er I 've been, 
From all I 've heard, from all I 've seen ? 
What know I more, that's worth the knowing ? 
WTiat have I done, that 's worth the doing ? 
What have I sought, that I should shun ? 
What duty have I left undone ? 
Or into what new follies run ? 
These self-inquiries are the road 
That leads to virtue and to God. 

u I would be glad, among a nation of Chris- 
tians, to find men heartily engaged in the prac- 
tice of what this heathen writer teaches/' 

It is essential that divine truth should be im- 
pressed upon your mind, and your memoiy 
should be stored with the treasures of divine 
wisdom, if you would readily and impressively 
impart religious instruction to others. It is your 
office to confirm and instruct those under your 
care ; and is it to be expected that these duties 
can be properly performed, while your mind is 
unfurnished with Scriptural and religious know- 
ledge ? With an understanding no way strength- 
ened by appropriate exercise, how can you pos- 
sibly, in any efficient manner, establish your 
members in Christian doctrine and practice ? It 
is necessary that vou should be familiar with the 
11 



162 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

cardinal doctrines of the gospel, with the scheme 
of redemption in all its prominent features, with 
the soul-inspiring promises of the sacred page, 
and with the exhaustless mine of inspired truth 
in general, upon which you may draw, whenever 
you have occasion, "for doctrine, for reproof, 
for correction, for instruction in righteousness ;" 
that all under your care " may be perfect, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 
(2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.) Without this knowledge 
and mental cultivation, you will frequently find 
yourself the prey of the most distressing embar- 
rassment. 

" There is something in the very nature of 
theological truth, which gives confidence to the 
speaker. It opens, enlarges, and vivifies the 
mind. There is a clearness in truth, a directness, 
and a freshness in it, which strangely disenthrals 
the spirit, and gives free, full scope. Truth fa- 
vours freedom — freedom of thought, freedom of 
speech, freedom of act." — Prof. ParJce. . 

As there will perhaps be no dispute in refer- 
ence to the value and importance of theological 
knowledge to the class-leader, the following di- 
rection as to the manner in which its study and 
pursuit should be conducted, will not be con- 
sidered as out of place by those for whom I 
write. 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 163 

" Offer up, therefore, your daily requests to 
God, the Father of lights, that he would bless 
all your attempts and labours in reading, study, 
and conversation. Think with yourself, how 
easily and how insensibly, by one turn of thought, 
he can lead you into a large scene of useful 
ideas. He can teach you to lay hold on a clue 
which may guide your thoughts with safety and 
ease through all the difficulties of an intricate 
subject. 

" Think how easily the Author of your being 
can direct your motions by his providence, so 
that the glance of an eye, or a word striking the 
ear, or a sudden turn of the fancy, shall conduct 
you to a train of happy sentiments. By this 
secret and supreme method of government, he 
can draw you to read such a treatise, or to con- 
verse with such a person, who may give you 
more light into some deep subject in an hour, 
than you could obtain by a month of your own 
solitary labour. 

* Think with yourself, with how much ease the 
God of spirits can cast into your mind some use- 
ful-suggestion, and give a happy turn to your 
own thoughts, or the thoughts of those with 
whom you converse, whence you may derive un- 
speakable light and satisfaction in a matter that 
has long puzzled and entangled you. He can 



164 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

show you a path ' which the vulture's eye has 
not seen/ and lead you by some unknown gate 
or portal, out of a wilderness and labyrinth of 
difficulties, wherein you have been long wander- 
ing. 

" Implore constantly his divine grace, to point 
your inclination to proper studies, and to fix your 
heart there. He can keep off temptations on 
the right hand and on the left, both by the course 
of his providence, and by the secret and insensi- 
ble intimations of his Spirit. He can guard your 
understanding from every evil influence of error, 
and secure you from the danger of evil books 
and men, which might otherwise have a fatal 
effect, and lead you into pernicious mistakes. " — 
Dr. Watts. 

It is not necessary that you should be a 
scholar, a man of extensive literary acquirements ; 
but if you would attain to proficiency in the du- 
ties of your calling, you need to qualify yourself 
by such a degree of mental culture, as is neces- 
sary to the proper performance of those duties. 
It will not, therefore, be considered as gratuitous 
for me to mention some of those branches of 
study, and some of those books to which your 
attention should be directed. 

If your advantages in early life have been 
limited, and you have not before paid attention 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 165 

to them, I would advise you to husband your 
time, and devote the leisure hours which you 
may glean from more serious and important 
studies to English grammar, geography, and 
arithmetic. In the present day, a man, however 
zealous for God, and desirous of doing good, will 
labour to great disadvantage, without an ac- 
quaintance with these primary and fundamental 
branches of knowledge. 

Among the books which I would recommend, 
are, first, the Bible, which should be read in 
course, with constant recurrence to the referen- 
ces of the margin, and also with the help of a 
good commentary. Clarke's and Benson's Com- 
mentaries, both have their peculiar excellencies. 
And the same may be said of Wesley's Notes, 
and Watson's Exposition. Such an acquaint- 
ance as you may be able to cultivate with them 
all, will be of singular advantage to you. Next, 
you should study the Discipline, and make your- 
self familiar, not only with the doctrines, but 
with the entire polity of Methodism. The Dis- 
cipline, Hedding on the Discipline, Emory's His- 
tory of the Discipline, Emory's Life and Works, 
together with Stevens and Hodgson on the 
Polity of Methodism, will give, perhaps, all the 
information you will need on these points. 

I would also have you read and study the 



166 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

revised Hymn-Book, recently published in ac- 
cordance with the recommendation of the last 
General Conference. 

In systematic divinity, I would recommend 
Wesley's Works, in general, and especially his 
Plain Account of Christian Perfection, his 
Treatise on Original Sin, and his Controversial 
Tracts ; Watson's Institutes ; Theological Com- 
pend, an excellent and most convenient little 
work for reference ; Peck's Christian Perfection ; 
Peck's Rule of Faith; Fletcher's Checks; Hib- ■• 
bard on Baptism ; Bangs' Original Church of 
Christ ; and Errors of Socinianism. 

In experimental and practical divinity, I re- 
commend the practical part of Wesley's Works, 
especially his Sermons ; Fletcher's Letters ; 
Fletcher's Portrait of St. Paul ; Alleine's Alarm ; 
Baxter's Saints' Rest ; Baxter's Call to the Un- 
converted ; Bakewell's Admonitory Counsels ; 
Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion ; Ma- 
son on Self -Knowledge ; Christian Exertion, or 
the Duty of Private Members of the Church to 
Labour for the Salvation of Souls ; Christian's 
Manual ; Christian's Pattern, abridged by John 
Wesley; Inquirer and New Convert, by Rev. 
Robert Young ; Mammon, or Covetousness the 
Sin of the Church ; Path of Life, by Rev. D. 
Wise; Pilgrim's Progress; Wesley's Journal; 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 167 

Witness of the Spirit, by Rev. D. Walton ; Wit- 
nessing Church, by Rev. John Harris. 

In biography, you should read, as a careful 
husbandry of your time will allow, the Lives of 
the Wesleys, by Watson, Moore, and Jackson ; 
Benson's Life of Fletcher ; Life of Mrs. Fletcher ; 
Memoirs of several Methodist Preachers, selected 
from Lives of the Early Methodist Preachers, by 
Rev. T. Jackson ; the Lives of Smith, Stoner, 
Treffry, Brarnwell, Walsh, Oarvosso, Hester Ann 
Rogers, Joseph Benson, H 'nnah S. Bunting, 
John Bunyan, Archbishop Cranmer, and Bishop 
Latimer, Dr. Adam Clarke, Melville B. Cox, 
Episcopius, Lady Maxwell, Henry Moore, &c. 

I would also recommend the following; miscel- 
laneous works : — Bangs' History of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ; Jackson's Centenary of Me- 
thodism ; Ruter's and Mosheim's Ecclesiastical 
History ; Home's Introduction ; Powell on Apos- 
tolical Succession ; Watson's Sermons ; Clarke's 
Sermons; Dick's Works; Clark's Mental Dis- 
cipline; Watts' Improvement of the Mind ; Barr's 
Index ; and Gaston's Collections. 

This list might, with great ease, be extended, 
so as to embrace many other most valuable 
books ; but it is not our design to surest a 

' O DO 

thorough course of study, but only to give a clue 
to some of those works which are esteemed as 



168 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

of a most excellent and standard character. 
Your own judgment will readily suggest what 
other selections are proper to be made, as you 
progress in reading and study. It may be 
thought by some, that the works already men- 
tioned are too numerous, and that the majority 
of leaders cannot be expected to make an ac- 
quaintance with all the authors here recom- 
mended to then* notice. But by a little economy 
of time, as well as of means, you will, I trust, as 
your wants demand, be able both to purchase 
and to study such a library in the main, as we 
have selected. At least, you would do well to 
set your mark high, even though the probability 
be not strong of your reaching it. Do not un- 
dervalue your own powers. Strain every nerve, 
and the result of your laudable effort will be 
such a degree of culture and improvement, and 
such an increase of your capacity for usefulness, 
as will amply reward your toil. 

Deeply possess your mind with the importance 
of enlarged and correct views of divine truth; 
entertain just conceptions of your own need in 
this respect; presume not too much upon the 
natural strength of your intellectual powers ; be 
animated in your pursuit of knowledge, by the 
prospect of new attainments and increased use- 
fulness, and depend for success in all your 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 169 

studies, and for the proper improvement of the 
knowledge gained thereby, on the blessing and 
guidance of Almighty God. Remember, " He 
that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool." (Pro v. 
xxviii, 26.) Therefore, " Trust in the Lord with 
all thy heart, and lean not to thine own under- 
standing." (Prov. iii, 5.) i 

6. A class-leader should be known as a true 
Methodist. 

By this I do not mean that he should be a re- 
ligious bigot ; that he should be obstinately and 
unreasonably attached to a certain set of usages 
and doctrines, leaving no room in his heart for 
those enlarged charities which would lead him 
to embrace Christians of every name ; but that 
his principles should be those of a Methodist, 
without abatement and without qualification. 
This implies not only that he is strongly attached 
to the Church of his choice, that he is a great 
admirer of its institutions, and that he would 
greatly prefer its communion to that of any 
other ; but that his attachment is founded upon 
the understanding which he has of its peculiari- 
ties. He is a Methodist, because he believes in 
its doctrines as evangelical, because he admires 
its usages, because he has no fault to find with 
its Discipline, and because he regards its economy 
in general as well- adapted to the great purposes 



170 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

of church organization. On these points it is 
supposed he has informed himself; that he has 
read the Discipline, and carefully studied it ; that 
he has made himself acquainted with Methodist 
doctrine as exposed and maintained by those 
standard authors whose works are recommended 
in the previous section. Of these authors espe- 
cially, as a Methodist class-leader, he should not 
be ignorant. Some part of his time, however 
small from the necessity of the case it may be, 
should be regularly devoted to the study of 
Methodist theology, that he may be properly 
furnished for the performance of those duties 
which are appropriate to his calling. ^ 

It is necessary that he should be a Methodist 
himself, because he occupies a position of promi- 
nence among Me thodists. He is set, in some good 
measure, for ths defence of our Zion. Young 
converts are placed under his care to be in- 
structed in Methodist principles, and he exerts a 
general influence, as far as he is known, towards 
moulding the reputation, and sustaining the cha- 
racter of the Church. He should, therefore, be true 
to the cause in which he acts so conspicuous apart. 

On the importance of being well acquainted 
with Methodist literature, I will take the liberty 
of appending the following, from a tract written 
by a Wesleyan minister : — 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. lYl 

"The history, discipline, and doctrines of 
Wesleyan Methodism are another branch of know- 
ledge requisite to qualify you for your office. 

" Every unprejudiced good man, who reads 
our history with care, must be convinced that it 
records one of the greatest revivals of spiritual 
religion that has occurred in the Christian 
Church since the apostolic age. Our cause has 
been resisted by men of all ranks and conditions ; 
talents and literature of the first order, and vio- 
lence of the rudest and fiercest kind, have been 
employed to overthrow it ; but it has continued 
its steady and accelerating progress amidst the 
most formidable opposition. Our ministers, 
through all their generations to the present day, 
have been reviled, sometimes as illiterate and 
fanatical men, and again, as mercenary, tyran- 
nical, and ambitious men; but they have pur- 
sued the even tenor of their way, being in la- 
bours, zeal, and success, more abundant than 
many of their contemporaries ; and after all the 
reproaches which have been cast upon them, 
they have successively passed off the stage of 
life in joyful triumph, and their name and pious 
deeds are in the grateful recollection of tens of 
thousands, as precious ointment poured forth. 
No histories, excepting those of the martyrs, ex- 
hibit a more splendid succession of devoted lives 



172 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

and triumphant deaths, than the biography of 
your preachers. Multitudes of our people have 
been reclaimed from the most vicious practices, 
rescued from an almost barbarous ignorance, and 
made useful members of civil and religious so- 
ciety. Hundreds of families have been raised 
from indigence to comfort, abundance, and afflu- 
ence ; and notwithstanding the secessions which 
have, at different times, occurred, the society has 
gone on increasing its numbers, without seeming 
to feel that any had withdrawn from it ; and 
now its evangelizing leaven is operating upon a 
most extensive scale in all the four quarters of 
the globe. These are telling facts, and they will 
forcibly strike your minds when you read our 
history. 

" By whatever name we may designate the 
discipline, or form of church government, which 
is established among us, it is manifest that its 
grand object is to unite together, in close Chris- 
tian fellowship, a society of persons earnestly 
seeking the salvation of their own souls, walking 
in all things according to the word of God, and 
zealous to promote the conversion of others. 
Our system of doctrines contains the whole truth 
as it is in Christ, and is, we believe, in perfect 
accordance with the Scriptures ; and like our 
Discipline, its design and tendency are to raise 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 1*73 

men to the highest degree of Christian excellence 
to which they can attain in the present life. In 
order that you may know the former, it is ne- 
cessary that you should be familiar with the 
general rules of the society, and read the annual 
Minutes of the Conference ; and that you may 
understand the latter, it is expedient that you 
should acquaint yourselves with Mr. Wesley's 
Sermons, his Notes on the New Testament, and 
his Appeals to Men of Reason and Religion. 
Allow me also to recommend to you the regular 
perusal of all our periodicals and publications. 

" This branch of knowledge will tend to con- • 
firm and strengthen your attachment to the sys- 
tem of Wesleyan Methodism, without which you 
would lack one requisite qualification for your 
office. If a leader do not cordially believe our 
doctrines, or if he be hostile to any important 
part of our Discipline, he will not act in harmony 
with us, nor faithfully discharge the duties of 
his trust, 

" Let none of you, my brethren, be discour- 
aged by what I have advanced on the necessity 
of such qualifications, from an apprehension that 
they are above your reach. You may now feel 
yourselves far below them ; but by perseverance 
you will, at no distant period, arrive at the 
highest standard which I have proposed. In 



174: CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

order to this, two things are requisite : (1.) Ac- 
cess to the books which I have recommended. 
(2,) Time to read and study them. Rise early, 
avoid being too much in company, throw away 
no moments, and you will find sufficient time for 
these important pursuits. The advantages you 
will derive from the acquisition of useful know- 
ledge, to say nothing of the benefits which will 
result to your classes, will yield you an ample 
recompense for all your labours in its pursuit. 
'And this I pray, that your love may abound 
yet more and more in knowledge and in all judg- 
ment ; that ye may approve things that are ex- 
cellent ; that ye may be sincere and without of- 
fence till the day of Christ ; being filled with the 
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ 
unto the glory and praise of God/ " (Phil, i, 
9-1 1 . ) — Edmund Grindrod. 

7. But, above all, this office should be filled 
by men " truly devoted to God." 

" Take heed to thyself/' is an injunction as 
necessary to a class-leader, as to a minister of 
the gospel. He should have an experience in 
the things of God himself, and well understand 
his own religious character and spiritual condi- 
tion, while contributing to the advance of others 
in Christian experience. He should be a man 
of faith and prayer — known for his habitual and 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 175 

fervent piety. An unconverted and graceless 
leader, or one in a backslidden state, is much 
■worse than a mere church-member who is of a 
similar character. It is impossible that such a 
man should make a useful leader, and be a bless- 
ing to his class. It is not the easiest matter to 
give instruction in Christian experience, when it 
is the subject of personal knowledge and con- 
sciousness, much less when unfelt and unknown. 
A man who loves the enemy, is unfit for a sol- 
dier, much less a captain in Christ's militant 
Church. The reputation and influence of class- 
leaders should have no uncertain basis, but be 
founded on a character well established, consist- 
ent, and uniform. Their own example, in har- 
mony with Christian precept, should instruct the 
members of their class. The duties which they 
enjoin, they should themselves practise, and the 
vices which they condemn, they should avoid. 
" Thou that teacjiest another, teachest thou not 
thyself?" Of a very different character were 
the Scribes and Pharisees in the time of our 
Lord, and therefore they incurred his severest 
denunciations : — "For they bind heavy burdens," 
says he, "and grievous to be borne, and lay 
them on men's shoulders ; but they themselves 
will not move them with one of their fingers." 
(Matt, xxiii, 4.) The leader himself then should 



176 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

be " blameless ;" free from pride and vanity, and 
all uncharitableness. His conversation should 
be seasoned with salt, for his word especially 
would " eat as doth a canker." His intercourse 
with the world, and his business transactions, 
should be of such a character as to increase, 
rather than diminish his influence. He especi- 
ally should not " contract debts without the 
probability of paying theni," and should conduct 
all his secular affairs in the most equitable man- 
ner, while, at the same time, charity and benevo- 
lence show themselves prominent in all his deal- 
ings. He is called upon to practise self-denial, 
and to be faithful in the performance of every 
duty. 

"Without this grand prerequisite, all other 
qualifications are in vain. You may have great 
strength of understanding, your mind may be 
well stored with religious knowledge, and you 
may be sincerely attached to t Methodism, but 
without the indispensable qualification of genuine 
piety, you will be as salt having no savour. All 
other knowledge will be useless, only as it may 
be rendered subsidiary to "the knowledge of 
salvation by the remission of sins," and to the 
performance of those duties which devolve upon 
you as a leader of souls. You may greatly ex- 
tend your studies ; be well versed in the tongues 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 1*77 

of classic antiquity, in the subtle philosophy and 
mythology of the ancient schools, in the precise 
demonstrations of mathematics, and in the dis- 
coveries of natural and moral science ; but "with- 
out an experimental knowledge of divine things, 
without a personal interest in the salvation of 
the gospel, whatever else you may be fit for, you 
will not be qualified for so important an office in 
the Church as that which we now consider. 

And your piety should not merely consist of 
adventitious forms, and the performance of ex- 
ternal duties ; it should be that of the heart. It 
should involve the exercise of the warmest and 
purest affections. a Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy 
soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first 
and great commandment. And the second is 
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as 
thyself.'" (Matt, xxii, 37-39.) Love is the fulfil- 
ling of the law. The heart, warmed by this di- 
vine and animating principle, will prompt, in a 
manner of which no other influence is capable, 
to a high standard of moral action, and to an un- 
wearied course of duty and usefulness. Thus 
our religion comes to be practical. " The tree is 
known by its fruits." " Out of the heart," no 
longer " proceed evil thoughts," and all manner 
of unholy and uncharitable actions, but "our 
12 



178 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

fruit is unto holiness." The mature and attrac- 
tive graces of evangelical piety are exemplified 
in our blameless and consistent walk. "We 
have received not the spirit of the world, but the 
Spirit which is of God, that we might know the 
things that are freely given to us of God ;" and 
"the fruit of this Spirit is in all goodness, and 
righteousness, and truth." (Eph. v, 9.) Thus, if 
we are not entirely sanctified, the seeds of this 
gracious work are sown in our hearts, and we 
are at least " groaning after it." 

* The exemplification of all the graces of the 
Holy Spirit in the life, is the consummation of true 
piety. Do not be satisfied with an ordinary de- 
gree of religion, but seek to possess this essential 
qualification for your office, in a high and supe- 
rior measure. You, especially, should 'follow 
on to apprehend all that for which you are ap- 
prehended of God in Christ Jesus.' 

"Your piety should be steady and uniform. 
If your members observe in you any fickleness 
or wavering, they will lose their confidence in 
you : it should be deep and fervent, that a divine 
unction may attend all your words, and that youi 
classes may be led, after your example, to seek 
entire holiness of heart and life. It should not 
be of a morose and forbidding kind, but humble 
and gentle ; ' without partiality and hypocrisy, 



QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS-LEADERS. 1 79 

full of mercy and good fruits.' In short, ' what- 
soever things are true, whatsoever things are 
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, 
whatsoever things are of good report ; if there 
be any virtue, and if there be any praise,' let 
them shine with a conspicuous lustre throughout 
your lives. 

" However superior your other gifts and en- 
dowments may be, if you have not piety, you 
are unfit to be a leader among us ; your exam- 
ple will not edify, whatever your words may do ; 
the duties of your office will be irksome, and 
often neglected, or carelessly performed ; and 
you will at last be unprepared to give up your 
account to the great Head of the Church. Pur- 
sue, therefore, as that which cannot be dispensed 
with, exalted piety, evinced by a close and per- 
severing walk with God." — Edmund Grindrod. 

With the qualifications now noticed, a leader 
may be of great use among us, and contribute, 
in a pre-eminent degree, to the glory and strength 
of our Zion. None of the pre-requisites named 
can well be dispensed with. They are all of the 
highest importance, and, for the purpose of attain- 
ing them, should command unwearied and cease- 
less exertion. . The usefulness of the leader must 
rise or fall, as he varies from this standard. But 



180 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

with a sound mind, an ardent piety, a desire to 
do good, a love for the Church and for souls, 
he cannot be otherwise than a pillar and support 
of the Christian cause, and an instrument of doing 
much good. That he may be encouraged in 
this " work of faith, and labour of love," we in- 
vite his attention to the few considerations con- 
tained in the following chapter. , 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 181 



CHAPTER V. 

OF THE MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS OF 
CLASS-LEADERS. 

In view of what has been said upon the nature 
and responsibilities of the office filled by class- 
leaders, it is obvious that they need to be influ- 
enced by suitable motives, and to receive all the 
encouragement which the nature of the case may 
admit of being extended to them. 

1. First, it would be well for them to consider 
that their responsibilities have been assumed in 
obedience to the call of the Church. They have 
been invited by the preacher in charge to aid 
him in his pastoral labours, and to attend to 
those financial duties which the care of a class 
involves. They have not, perhaps, desired this 
office; or if they have had any inclination to- 
wards it, it has only been from the conviction 
that they were required to do all in then* power 
for the good of souls, and from the hope that 
they might, in this way, be rendered useful to 
their fellow-men. At least, they have not en- 
tered upon this work, without the approbation 
of their superiors. In these circumstances they 
may reasonably calculate upon the cordial sup- 



182 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

port of the ministry, and may avail themselves 
of their judicious and pious counsel. It is some 
relief to the mind, when the most solemn obli- 
gations press upon us, to know that there are 
those whose pleasure it would be to help us bear 
our burdens, and that such are competent by 
their office, and the functions appertaining 
thereto, to render us this grateful and timely 
service. And I am sure that I can speak here 
for the great body of our ministers. Anxious 
that the interests of the Church may be promo- 
ted by your appointment, that the greatest suc- 
cess may crown your labours, and recognising 
you as fellow-helpers in their calling, they will 
not be slow in extending to you that friendly 
hand by which you will realize material assist- 
ance, together with that warm affection which 
will cheer you in your honourable and glorious 
toil. 

2. But while in obedience to the call of those 
who " are over you in the Lord," you have en- 
gaged in this undertaking, you should at the 
same time consider yourselves as labouring in the 
vineyard of the Lord, and as exercised by a sole 
desire to advance his cause. If you feel as you 
should do, this will be your controlling motive. 
An error here would spoil the whole, and be 
most fatal in its tendencies and results. But on 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 183 

this ground you may legitimately expect divine 
assistance in endeavouring to accomplish the 
ends of your appointment ; and thus " your la- 
bour will not be in vain in the Lord." Thus 
will you be " strong in the strength which is in 
Christ Jesus," looking for help to him whose 
cause you serve, and fully persuaded that 
"neither is he that planteth anything, neither 
he that watereth ; but God that giveth the in- 
crease." (1 Cor. hi, 7.) " God is not unrighteous 
to forget your work and labour of love which 
ye have showed toward his name, in that ye 
have ministered to the saints, and do minister." 
(Heb. vi, 10.) You " go not a warfare at your 
own charges ;" and he will see, for the honour 
of his own name, and the immutability of his 
promise and engagement, that you are sustained 
while doing his work. Were you actuated by 
any sinister or unworthy motives, these con- 
siderations would constitute no reliable support. 
If it were from a principle of self, and an emu- 
lation to be prominent in the Church, that you 
consented to assume this office, your expecta- 
tion of divine and all-sufficient grace for the dis- 
charge of your responsibilities, must be very 
slender and precarious. But it is supposed that 
you have been governed by far different mo- 
tives ; that with a sincere aim to glorify God, 



184 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

and in compliance with what you have felt to be 
an imperative obligation, this work has been en- 
gaged in. You are, therefore, fully authorized 
to place your dependence on him who has said, — 
" Be not weary in well-doing, for in due season 
ye shall reap if ye faint not." (Gal. vi, 9.) 

The following extract will be found to bear 
upon this point : — " Christian prudence pursues 
Christian ends on Christian maxims, and by 
Christian means. The ends it pursues are holi- 
ness in every kind, and in the highest degree ; 
and usefulness in every kind and degree. And 
herein it proceeds on the following maxims : — 
' The help that is done upon the earth, God 
doeth it himself ;' it is he that worketh all in all, 
and that not by human power; generally, he 
uses weak things to confound the strong : not by 
means of wealth ; most of his choicest instru- 
ments may say, ' silver and gold have I none :' 
not by learned or ' wise men after the flesh ;' no, 
the foolish things hath God chosen : not by 
men of reputation, but by men counted l as the 
filth of the earth, the offscouring of all things :' 
all which is for this plain reason, ' that no flesh 
may glory in his sight/ 

" Christian prudence pursues these ends upon 
these principles, by only Christian means. A 
truly prudent Christian, while in things purely 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 185 

indifferent, he becomes all things to all men ; 
yet, wherever duty is concerned, regards the ex- 
ample of all mankind no more than a grain of 
sand. His word is then, 

" ■ Non me qui caetera vincit 
Impetus, at rapido contrarius evehor orbi.' 

" He will not, to gain the favour or shun the 
hate of all, omit the least point of duty. He 
cannot prevail upon himself, on any account or 
pretence, to use either simulation or dissimula- 
tion. There is no guile in his mouth, no evasion 
or ambiguity. Having one desire; one design to 
glorify God with his body and his spirit; having 
only one fear, 

" * Lest a motion, or a word, 

Or thought arise, to grieve his Lord ;' 

"having one rule, the word of God; one 
guide, even his Spirit, he goes on in child-like 
simplicity. Continually seeing him that is in- 
visible, he walks in open day. Looking unto 
Jesus, and deriving strength from him, he goes 
on in his steps in the work of faith, the labour 
of love, the patience of hope, till he is called up 
to be ever with the Lord." — John Wesley. 

3. But the nature of your office should, of 
itself, furnish encouragement. In becoming a 
leader, you have taken great honour to yourself. 



186 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

You not only stand connected by ordinary mem- 
bership with a Church that has distinguished 
herself above all her compeers for a most extra- 
ordinary career of usefulness, but you enjoy the 
elevated distinction of being prominent in her 
counsels, and of being advanced as one of her 
standard-bearers. If it is to be considered an 
honour to "be a door-keeper in the house of 
God," much more is it so to be a prince in Israel, 
or a captain in the host of God's elect. " Ye 
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, " 
selected to be the associates of a Divine Trinity, 
all the persons of which are engaged and deeply 
interested in the same work ; and to promote 
which, angels are ever on the wing, and the 
maturest and brightest minds incessantly em- 
ployed. 0, 

11 'Tis not a work of small import, 
The pastor's care demands ; 
But what might fill an angel's heart, 
And filled a Saviour's hands.'* 

Christ has "purchased the Church with his 
own blood/' and it is your high duty, and should 
be your holy ambition, to do all in your power 
towards the consummation of the great object 
for which he suffered and died — " That he might 
present it to himself a glorious Church, not 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS, 187 

having a spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.' ' 
(Eph. v, 27.) 

Your position is one of extended bearing and 
influence. You are regarded by the Church, 
and also by the world, as a representative, in 
some good degree, of her interests, and as an 
embodiment of her character. More or less 
deference is consequently paid to your opinion, 
and more or less influence exerted by your exam- 
ple. And, especially if your general course of 
life be such as to recommend and vindicate the 
interests of true religion, will you be honoured 
and respected by all who have those interests at 
heart. Those who have called upon you to 
assist them in their pastoral labours, and those 
who are benefitted by the faithful performance 
of your duties, together with all who are wit- 
nesses of your disinterested and self-denying- 
labours, will give you the unreluctant meed of 
their approbation and love. 

" Thanks, to men 
Of noble minds, is honourable meed." 

If " the righteous shall be had in everlasting 
remembrance," then will your good deeds not 
be forgotten. The members of your class, and 
of the Church in general, will ever regard and 
cherish your name " as ointment poured forth/' 



188 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL, 

and gratefully remember your services to them 
and the Christian cause. 

And this is not worldly honour. It is the 
reputation of those, who, by doing good on earth, 
are seeking " to lay up treasure in heaven," to 
gather pearls and diamonds for decking the 
" many crowns" of Him whose are to be " the 
kingdoms of this world," and who is to reign 
"Lord over all, blessed forever." It is "the 
honour that cometh from above," the honour 
which is conferred by God upon all who labour 
faithfully for the promotion of his glory. " Him 
that honoureth me, I will honour." (1 Sam. 
ii, 30.) 

4. You should be encouraged by the results 
of your labour. 

If you have been any length of time in this 
office, and have been zealous and faithful, you 
have doubtless, ere this, been witness of some 
fruit to your toil. A faithful performance of 
duty never goes unrewarded, and the reward 
generally appears in the form of some tangible 
result, which constitutes in part the wages or 
compensation of the labourer. You have, per- 
haps, been made to rejoice over those you have 
been the means of quickening, and to whom it 
has been your privilege to administer consolation 
in trouble, and advice in difficulty and doubt. 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMEXTS. 189 

Perhaps you have brought back some stray 
sheep which had wandered from the fold, or you 
may have been the instrument of introducing the 
broken-hearted and penitent sinner into the king- 
dom of grace. Some under your care, while 
enjoying your ministrations of life and love, may 
have gone safely and triumphantly to the pil- 
grim's home in heaven, and now, from the ele- 
vated heights of Mount Zion, look down upon 
you as having materially contributed to their 
final victory and triumph. Or if you have but 
recently entered upon your work, and as a guide 
of souls, have but just begun to feel the pressure 
of your responsibilities, you are authorized to 
look forward to a sure and certain reward of 
official integrity in the golden harvest, which " in 
due season you shall reap." The principal thing- 
is, for you to mind your work, and, under a sense 
of your obligations, so to labour that you may- 
be " acceptable to God, and approved of men." 
Feed the flock of God" intrusted to your keep- 
in of, " taking the oversight thereof, not bv con- 

O 7 O O * •/ 

straint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but 
of a ready mind ; neither as being lords over 
God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye 
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not 
away." (1 Peter v, 2-4.) 



190 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

If it be true that " whatsoever a man soweth, 
that shall he also reap," you will not " cast your 
bread upon the waters," without seeing it " ga- 
thered after many days." Be encouraged then. 
" Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead- ' 
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work I 
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 
labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. xv, 58.) 

5. This labour in the cause of Christ will have 
a tendency to improve your own Christian cha- 
racter, and will result in many spiritual blessings. 
In doing good to others, we benefit ourselves :- 

" The quality of mercy is not strain'd ; 
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven 
Upon the place beneath. It is twice bless'd ; 
It blesseth him who gives, and him who takes.' ' 

In discharging the duties which devolve upon 
you, you bring into salutary exercise your intel- 
lectual powers, you furnish your minds with 
useful knowledge, you give play to the warmest 
and purest affections of the heart ; and every 
repetition of those evangelical services elevates 
your own moral standing, and makes you more 
nearly to resemble Him who is the exhaustless 
fountain of truth and love. Thus you go on 
from grace to grace ; and as your physical powers 
strengthen by appropriate exercise, through the 
wholesome employment which is given to your 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 191 

mental and moral energies, you will find yourself 
becoming "strong in the Lord, and the power 
of his might." By this means, also, you acquire 
a better knowledge of human nature, you become 
more thoroughly versed in the wiles of Satan, 
you are familiarized with the different grades of 
religious experience, from that of the babe in 
Christ, to its maturer developments, as found in 
him who is a young man, or a father in Israel. 
And while administering the counsel which these 
different states require, you are bringing under 
a wholesome discipline your own Christian prin- 
ciples and moral virtues. 

You are as a friend and father among the mem- 
bers of your class. And if you are indeed thus, 
they regard you with feelings of strong attach- 
ment and love. You enjoy then* Christian 
sympathies, and are remembered in their prayers. 
Thus the benefits arising from this relation are 
mutual. While endeavouring to profit them, 
they are contributing to your own more vigorous 
growth as a Christian believer, to an increased 
degree of spiritual comfort and joy, and to that 
" fulness of age" in which, " by reason of use, 
your senses are exercised to discern both good 
and evil." (Heb. v, 14.) 

Nothing contributes so much to barrenness of 
soul, as indolence. He who stands all the day 



192 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL, 

idle in the market-place, will not be likely to reap 
in any considerable degree those fruit? of the 
Spirit which consist of " love, joy, peace.' ' It 
is according to a law of our natures, that the 
mind be incessantly employed. If it be not en- 
gaged upon interests worthy of its attention, it 
will find a listless or vicious exercise of its pow- 
ers, exceedingly prejudicial to its moral senti- 
ments and feelings, and seriously interfering with 
that growth of grace whicn would otherwise be 
secured. 

As appropriate employment is the great con- 
dition and law of our spiritual life, it is exceed- 
ingly desirable that we should have some means 
for the regular and progressive development of 
our spiritual powers. Now the class-leader is 
placed in a position exactly corresponding with 
this necessity of his being. He has full oppor- 
tunity for the exercise of all the Christian virtues, 
and for pursuing a course of extended usefulness ; 
thus " working out his own salvation, " while, 
under the Captain of their salvation, he is instru- 
mental in " bringing many sons and daughters 
to glory.' ' " Gird up the loins of your mind," 
then, and " quit yourselves like men." Hide 
not your talent. Live to God and his glory. 
So " shalt thou both save thyself and them that 
hear thee." (1 Tim. iv, 16.) 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 193 

6. Finally, in all your labours you should 
have " respect unto the recompense of reward," 
awaiting you in heaven. . 

The present is a state of probation. The allot- 
ments of the eternal world will harmonize exactly 
with " the deeds done in the body." " Be not 
deceived ; God is not mocked : for ivhatsoever a 
man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he 
that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap 
corruption : but he that soweth to the Spirit, 
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Gal. vi, 
7, 8.) We are " stewards of the manifold grace 
of God." (1 Peter iv, 10.) And "it is required 
in stewards that a man be found faithful." 
(1 Cor. iv, 2.) The command to every one is, 
"Occupy till I come." (Luke xix, 13.) And 
the rule upon which the divine administration is 
based, in the ultimate disposition of our cases, is 
made very plain by our Lord : — " Unto every 
one that hath shall be given, and he shall have 
abundance : but from him that hath not shall be 
taken away even that which he hath." (Matt. 
xxv, 29.) Every one shall be rewarded or 
punished, according to the use he makes of the 
talents intrusted to his keeping. Hence, while 
the one talent was taken away from " the wicked 
and slothful servant," the two and the five talents 
of the others were increased respectively to four 
13 



.194 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

and ten : and while one of them, the unprofitable 
servant, was cast into outer darkness, the other 
two heard from their Lord the approving wel- 
come, " Well done, thou good and faithful ser- 
vant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, 
I will make thee ruler over many things : enter 
thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matt, xxv, 
21, 23.) 

Now, on the supposition that you possess 
talents which may be improved and rendered 
available to the Church, you have been placed 
in your present position. We need only con- 
ceive that you may here, in any degree, make 
yourself useful, You are required only to make 
use of what you have. " For if there be first a 
willing mind, it is accepted according to that a 
man hath, and not according to that he hath 
not." (2 Cor. viii, 12.) There is much comfort 
to be derived from this consideration. We have 
not a hard master, " reaping where he has not 
sown, and gathering where he has not strewed," 
(Matt, xxv, 24 ;) but one who makes all neces- 
sary allowance for our infirmities, and requires 
only that we be " faithful in that which is little." 
And in order to encourage us to act well our 
part, he graciously records the most inspiring 
promises, " Whatsoever good thing a man doeth, 
the same shall he receive of the Lord." (Eph. 



MOTIVES AND ENCOURAGEMENTS. 195 

vi, 8.) " Blessed are the dead that die in the 
Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, 
that they may rest from their labours ; and their 
works do follow them." (Rev. xiv, 13.) "To 
him that soweth, righteousness shall be a sure 
reward." (Prov. xi, 18.) "They that be wise 
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament ; 
and they that turn many to righteousness as the 
stars forever and ever." (Dan. xii, 3.) 

Now, although our responsibilities be ever so 
great, we have nothing to fear, but everything 
to hope, as long as we are in our proper place, 
and doing our best in the fear of the Lord. We 
have everything to encourage and stimulate us. 
The day is far spent. The night hastens on 
apace, when our work shall be done, and our 
reward secured. There are crowns above, await- 
ing the faithful labourer, and the toil-worn pil- 
grim. A glittering diadem shall decorate the 
honoured and illustrious brow of him who shall 
succeed in overcoming the world and sin, and in 
completing the task assigned him by his Divine 
Master. 

"It is our felicity that we cannot describe the 
value and excellence of that reward. Yet a 
little while, and enjoyment shall explain to the 
faithful servants of Christ that which eye hath 
not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived. 



196 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

Then, my brethren, you will, in the presence of 
your Lord, be associated with patriarchs and 
prophets, apostles and martyrs, ministers, evan- 
gelists, elders, deacons, and the spirits of just 
men made perfect. Then you will meet with 
those whose burdens you carried in this state of 
trial ; in whose sorrows you sympathized ; whom 
you succoured in temptation ; whom you aided 
to fight the good fight of faith ; and who, with 
you, have trampled upon death, and obtained 
the final victory. Their glory will brighten 
yours, and their happiness will augment your 
unspeakable joys through the ages of eternity." 
— Grindrod, 

CONCLUSION. 

We have now accomplished the task which, in the outset, we 
proposed to ourselves. We hope, not only that something ha3 
been contributed towards the better understanding, in general, 
of that institution which has given rise to this treatise, but that 
those particularly for whom this manual has been prepared, will 
find therein those instructions which are adapted to the position 
which they occupy, and to the supply of a want, to meet which 
no adequate effort has heretofore been made. It is not pre- 
tended that this work is perfect; but we have done the best, 
which, under the pressure of other numerous and important en- 
gagements, we could. If we have rendered you any service, we 
herein find an ample reward. Our labour has not been in vain, 
and the profit is both yours and ours. "And now, brethren, I 
commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able 
to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them 
which are sanctified." (Acts xx, 32.) 



APPENDIX. 



" There then existed in London, for instance, 1. ' The 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New-Eng- 
land, and the parts adjacent in America/ established 
by King Charles IL, in 1661. 2. < The Society for the 
Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts/ instituted 
in 1701. 3. 'The Society for Promoting Christian 
Knowledge/ which also was instituted in 1701. 4. ' The 
Society for Reformation of Manners/ which was com- 
menced by five or six gentlemen of the Church of Eng- 
land, and sanctioned, in consequence of an address 
from the bishops and archbishops, by royal proclama- 
tion, in 1691. 5. There were twenty societies in Lon- 
don and Westminster at the beginning of the eighteenth 
century, ■ of various qualities and functions, formed/ 
as Dr. Woodward says, ' in a subordination and cor- 
respondency one with another, and engaged in this 
Christian design (of reformation) ; all which have 
their set hours and places of meeting to direct, sup- 
port, and execute this their great undertaking/ 6. 
There were ' The Religious Societies/ of which there 
were forty at the time Dr. Woodward wrote his account 
of them. The members of these societies were the 
most active members of ' The Society for the Reforma- 
tion of Manners/ and of other societies, which had for 



198 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

their object the suppression of vice. It was to these 
religious societies, doubtless, that Mr. Wesley had 
special reference in the above remarks ; and, as Me- 
thodism seems to have been ingrafted on these socie- 
ties, or rather to have swallowed them up, it may be 
interesting to know something more respecting them. 
It appears they were established about 1677. Dr. 
Woodward says, ■ So far as I am able to trace their 
first rise, it was thus introduced by the gracious pro- 
vidence of God ; it is now about two and thirty years 
ago that several young men of the Church of England, 
in the cities of London and Westminster, were about 
the same time touched with a very affecting sense of 
their sins, and began to apply themselves in a very 
serious manner to religious thoughts and purposes. 
I was, about that time, made privy to the spiritual 
sorrows of one of them, who, with floods of tears, 
lamented that he had not, till then, had any affecting 
apprehensions of the glorious majesty and perfections 
of Almighty God, nor of his infinite love to men, in his 
Son Jesus Christ ; and that he had not felt before any 
just conceptions of the immense evil of every offence 
against God, though it be but, said he, in the wilful 
neglect or misperformance of any duty to him. But 
now he saw and groaned under all this, in very sharp 
and pungent convictions. And withal, perceiving 
the universal corruption of human nature, and the 
deplorable crookedness and deceit of man's heart, and 
with what a world of temptation we are encompassed, 
being withal besieged by many legions of infernal 
spirits ; when he considered all this, his soul was even 
poured out within him, and he was in danger of being 
overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. The case was 



APPENDIX. 199 

very much the same with several young men at the 
same time, as he then tolcl me ; some of whom had 
"been greatly tempted by the devil, that murderer from 
the beginning, to lay violent hands on themselves ; 
which was also, he confessed, his own temptation, and 
that so urgent, sometimes, that sleep departed from his 
eyes, as well as rest from his soul/ (Observe, all this 
happened before Methodism had any existence !) ' In 
this mournful season, these disconsolate, convicted 
persons often resorted to their ministers for spiritual 
advice and succour, betaking themselves, in good ear- 
nest, to the ways of real piety and eternal peace. 
And it many times fell out, as the same person in- 
formed me, that several of them met together at the 
house of their spiritual physician, seeking cure for 
their wounded spirits ; and so contracted a little ac- 
quaintance by those providential interviews. 

" * The benefit of Dr. Horneck's awakening sermons, 
and the morning lectures on the Lord's-day in Corn- 
hill, preached by Mr. Smithie, (chiefly designed for 
the instruction of youth,) having occasioned much of 
this happy work upon the spirits of these young men, 
they did more particularly apply themselves to these 
divines for direction, who had been instruments in the 
hand of God for their conviction. And upon their 
frequent application to these and other ministers, it 
was advised that, since their troubles arose from the 
same spiritual cause, and since their inclinations and 
resolutions centred in the same purpose of a holy 
life, they would meet together once a week, and apply 
themselves to good discourse, and things wherein they 
might edify one another. And for the better regula- 
tion of their meetings, several rules were prescribed 



200 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

theni, being such as seemed most proper to effect the 
end proposed. Upon this they met together, and kept 
to their rules, and at every meeting, (as it was advised,) 
they considered the wants of the poor. These young 
men soon found the benefit of their conferences one 
with another, by which, as some of them have told me 
with joy, they better discovered their corruptions, the 
devirs temptations, and how to countermine his subtle 
devices ; as to which, each person communicated his ex- 
periences to the rest. 

" For the better management of their common stock 
for charitable purposes, they made choice of two stew- 
ards. These were appointed first in 1678. 

" In the end of the reign of Charles II., and during 
the reign of James LI., 'when all private meetings 
were suspected/ the members of these societies met 
with much discouragement, and many were turned 
from the way of righteousness. The events which 
transpired, caused them ' to change the name of the 
society for that of a club ; and instead of meeting at a 
friend's house, who might be endangered by it, they 
adjourned to some public house or other, where they 
could have a room to themselves ; and, under the pre- 
text of spending a shilling or two, they conferred se- 
riously together in the same religious manner as for- 
merly, by which honest artifice they carried on their 
good design without interruption/ " 

It was not without sufficient reason that they thus 
acted, as the following fact, related in Bennetts " Me- 
morials of the Reformation," p. 289, will show : — " A 
number of young men in the town of Newcastle, (about 
twenty,) met together once a week for mutual assist- 
ance and improvement in religion ; (here was a reli- 



APPENDIX. 201 

gious society;) for which purpose they spent some 
time in prayer and conference ; having subscribed a 
paper containing rules for the better ordering ofsuch 
society, and the work to be done is taken out of a book 
of Mr. Isaac Ambrose's. One of the Society turns in- 
former, and, having a copy of this dangerous paper, 
with the najnes of the subscribers, makes a disco- 
very, and the whole matter was laid before (that exe- 
crable wretch) Judge Jeffries, at the assizes ; by which 
it appeared to his lordship, that about twenty young 
fanatics met together weekly to pray and talk about 
religion, &c. ; his lordship, whose business lay as much 
with such as these, as with felons, &c, resolved to 
make examples of them. When he was prepared to 
proceed against them, he ordered the doors of the court 
to be locked up, and kept locked till such of the young 
men as were in court were secured ; and, at the same 
time, despatched the sheriff with the proper officers to 
apprehend the rest, the doors being still kept closed, 
which made no small noise and stir in the town. His 
lordship, as his manner was, began to breathe out 
threatening against the dissenters. And whereas, 
some of the elder of them, with whom his lordship 
would have taken an occasion to have talked, were 
withdrawn from the town ; he said, He would take the 
cubs, and that ivould make the old foxes appear." 

The offenders are presented before his lordship's tri- 
bunal. Such as knew his lordship's character, will 
easily imagine (and some will remember it) with how 
much contempt and indignation he would look down 
upon these young men. One of them, Mr. Thomas 
Verner, his lordship was pleased to single out, no ques- 
* " Media ; or, Middle Things." 



202 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

tion to triumph, over his ignorance, and thereby expose 
all the rest. " Can you read, sirrah ?" says he. " Yes, 
my lord," answered Mr. Verner. " Reach him the 
book," says the judge. The clerk reaches him his 
Latin Testament. The young man begins to read 
Matt, vii, 1, (it being the first place his eye lit upon, 
without any design in him, as he affirmed afterwards,) 
Ne judicate, ne judicemini, &c. " Construe it, sirrah," 
says the judge, which he did : " Judge not, lest ye be 
judged ; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be 
judged." Upon which, it is said, his lordship was a 
little struck, and sat in a pause for some while. 

" The issue of the matter was this, that the young 
men, though never tried, were sent to gaol, where they 
lay above a year ; that is, from the assizes in 1683, till 
the first assizes after the death of King Charles II., 
when they were called upon and set at liberty, with 
this reprimand from the judge, Go and sin no more, 
lest a worse thing come unto you ; adding, that the king 
coming to the throne, had saved all their lives." It 
appears they were indicted for high treason ; and as 
there was a packed jury, there is no doubt they would 
have suffered death. 

It is probable that this " religious society," in New- 
castle, was in existence when John Wesley visited that 
town in 1742 ; for he, on that occasion, found some 
who told him they were members of a religious society 
which had subsisted for many years, that they had a 
fine library, and that the steward read a sermon every 
Sunday. 

On the accession of William and Mary, the members 
of these societies came out of their hiding-places, and 
acted as they did at the commencement of their opera- 



APPENDIX. 203 

tions, having, by. their consistency, piety, and good 
service, secured public confidence and esteem. 

" The first design/' says Dr. Woodward, " of those 
who joined in this religious fellowship, looked no far- 
ther than the mutual assistance and consolation one 
of another in their Christian warfare ; that by their 
interchanged counsels and exhortations, they might 
the better maintain their integrity in the midst of a 
crooked and perverse generation. But as their sense 
of the blessedness of religion, and the value of immor- 
tal souls increased, they could not but exercise bowels 
of compassion towards such as discovered little con- 
cern about these important matters. This inclined 
them to endeavour, by discourse with their acquaint- 
ance, at proper seasons, to press upon them those di- 
vine arguments, whereby themselves had been roused 
out of a state of carnal insensibleness." Finding that 
they were successful in their efforts, " they made a 
private order at one of their assemblies, that every one 
should endeavour to bring one other at hast into their 
society, which they did to good effect. Thus these re- 
ligious fraternities grew and increased even till they 
became conspicuous, and in some degree famous. 

" There is," he continues, " such love amongst those 
of them that have fallen under my observation, that 
scarce any natural brothers are so affectionate ; and 
those who are newly admitted are soon contracted 
into the same fellowship of Christian brotherhood. 
They are also far from rigid censure and unkind treat- 
ment of any sorts of Christians. As they truly aim at 
true Christianity, so they value it wherever they find 
it." 

These societies, in the course of time, were esta- 



204 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

blished in various parts of the nation, as at Notting- 
*ham, Gloucester, Bristol, Hull, Leicester, &c. ; also 
in Dublin and other parts of Ireland. (See note, Class- 
leader's Manual, by Henry Fish, p. 35.) 

It was at one of these religious societies that John 
Wesley obtained the saving grace of God. " On Wed- 
nesday evening," says he, " I went very unwillingly 
to a society in Aldersgate-street, where one was read- 
ing Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. 
About a quarter before nine, while he was describing 
the change which God works in the heart through 
faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed ; I 
felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation ; 
and an assurance was given me that he had taken 
away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law 
of sin and death. 

" I began to pray with all my might for those who 
had, in a more especial manner, despitefully used me, 
and persecuted me. I then testified openly to all these, 
what I now first felt in my heart." — Works, vol. iii, 
p. 74. 

After his conversion, it may be supposed he did not 
neglect a means from which he had derived such essen- 
tial benefit. It appears that he was in the habit of 

9 " One of these ' societies' met in Baldwin-street, Bristol, 
previous to the period that Mr. Wesley visited this city. Of 
this, Mr. Durbin, of whom there is some account in ' the 
Methodist Magazine' for 1799, p. 4-87, was a member ; hence 
Mr. Durbin often used to say, ' I had the honour to receive 
Mr. Wesley into society ; for we were formed into a regular 
society before he came to Bristol; and he joined with us, 
and became our teacher.' " — {London) Class-leaders Manual, 
by Henry Fish, page 3. 



APPENDIX. 205 

meeting in these small assemblies, and participating 
in the services — by declaring what God had done for 
his soul, and, when driven from the churches of the 
establishment, by preaching to the multitudes, which 
flocked thither when it was known that he was to be 
present. " I was told," says he, " I must preach no 
more in this, and this, and another church ; the reason 
was usually added without reserve, ' Because you preach 
such doctrines/ So much the more those who could 
not hear me there, flocked together when I was at any 
of the societies ; where I spoke more or less, though 
with much inconvenience, to as many as the room I 
was in would contain." — Works, vol. i, p. 93. 

These " religious societies," no doubt, suggested the 
formation of those Methodist societies which existed 
before what are called the United Societies were organ- 
ized. The first society of this character met at Oxford, 
the second was that at Savannah, which met in the 
house of Mr. Wesley every Sunday afternoon, and the 
third was formed in London, after his return from 
Georgia, under the advice and encouragement of Peter 
Bohler. The fourth was in Bristol, and some adjacent 
places. The rise of the United Societies, and their 
division into classes, were events which subsequently 
took place, and of which no more need be said in this 
place. (See Centenary of Wesleyan Methodism, p. 
47-62.) 



206 CLASS -LEADER'S MANUAL. 

B. 

The duty of preachers, with reference to classes * 

The preacher in charge is expected to have the general 
superintendence of the classes, as they collectively 
constitute the "flock over which the Holy Ghost hath 
made him an overseer to feed the Church of God," and 
as they are the appointed means through which his 
pastoral supervision may be more conveniently main- 
tained. All the interests then that pertain to this 
institution are under the control, and in the hands of 
the minister, and there must be a corresponding extent 
to the duties which he is called upon to perform. 

These regard the organization of classes, the ap- 
pointment and general supervision of their leaders, 
and of the members of which they are composed. 

1. It is the duty of the preacher having charge of a 
circuit or station, to see that the society is organized 
into classes. According to our general rules, and 
other sections of our Discipline, every member must 
be assigned to some class, and it is through his con- 
nexion with the class that he maintains his relation 
as a member of the Church. He cannot belong to the 
one, either as a probationer or full member, without 
belonging in the same sense to the other. The Church 
and the class are not separate and distinct, so as to 
be independent of each other, but the one is a constitu- 
ent and essential part of the other. It is an error, 
therefore, to suppose, as some, joining our Church on 
trial, and enrolling their names on the class-book, have 

This note is an extract from another manuscript of the 
author's, which will account for the slight repetition it 
contains. 



APPENDIX. 207 

done, that by this act they have entered into no con- 
nexion with the Church, and may retain or dissolve 
their union with the class at pleasure, without being 
reflected on as having been in any sense members of 
the Church. The class and the Church in this respect 
are one. It is the duty of the preacher to recognise 
none as members of the Church, only as they may be 
connected with one of the several classes. 

Our ministers profess to be called of God to preach 
the gospel, and urge sinners to repentance. They go 
forth with this only design, and labour for this sole 
end. If success crowns their work, and sinners are 
converted through their instrumentality, it becomes 
their duty to exercise a pastoral care over the lost 
sheep they have thus found, and to see that they are 
securely folded in the Church of Christ. This duty is 
suggested not only by the great Shepherd, who says to 
all upon whom he has made this high vocation to de- 
volve, " Feed my sheep," but by the very circumstan- 
ces in which the minister of Christ finds himself 
placed. He is surrounded and followed by those who 
look up to him as their father in Christ, and it seems 
that those who have been instrumental in saving their 
souls from death, would be the most proper persons to 
whose spiritual care they should be intrusted. None 
are likely to be exercised by so deep an interest in 
their welfare, and there are none towards whom these 
young converts themselves will cherish such a warm 
and filial affection. So that this reasonable expecta- 
tion cannot be contravened without mutual distress 
and loss. On these accounts it is to be considered as 
an imperative duty of such ministers, to watch over 
these souls, and to use all proper and necessary means 



208 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

to insure their continued fidelity and ultimate salva- 
tion. Now it is to fulfil this pastoral obligation, and 
to furnish those who are thus providentially commit- 
ted to our charge, with all the advantages accruing 
from constant communion with God's people, and 
from the instruction which is by this means received, 
that they are put into a class, and under the care of a 
devoted and competent leader. This is the plan of 
pastoral work, as pursued by the Methodist ministry. 
If the " word of the Lord," which they preach, " has 
free course, runs, and is glorified" in the salvation of 
sinners, they thus seek to confirm and build them up 
in their " most holy faith." 

According to our General Rules, " there are about 
twelve persons in a class, one of whom is styled the 
leader." By the manner in which this limited num- 
ber is qualified, the preacher is left at liberty to con- 
trol himself by circumstances, as it is not always 
practicable to make this minute division, from the 
manner in which many of our societies are scattered 
over a wide extent of country, and the more serious 
difficulty of obtaining suitable persons as leaders. It 
is consequently not expected that the letter of this 
rule will be strictly adhered to, although, when cir- 
cumstances will permit, taking into consideration all 
the bearings of the case, no wisdom will be displayed 
by an unnecessary departure therefrom. The general 
understanding of the rule may be seen by a note of 
our primitive bishops : — 

" We have found it necessary in innumerable instan- 
ces to enlarge the number of the class, from the im- 
possibility of providing a sufficiency of class-leaders, 
if the number were always limited to twelve. 



APPENDIX. 209 

" At the beginning of Methodism, the leader called 
weekly upon each of his class, in which case twelve 
were quite sufficient for his inspection. But very 
soon it was found abundantly preferable for the whole 
class to meet the leader together, not only for the 
sake of the leader, but for the good of the people, who, 
by that means, enjoy the unspeakable advantage of 
Christian fellowship." "With this liberal construction 
of the rule, and on account of the necessity of the case 
here noticed, a greater number are frequently included 
in a class, than that to which we were at first limited. 

The Methodist minister, then, arranges his flock 
into these little companies, and endeavours thus to 
fulfil his obligations to them in the best possible man- 
ner. Thus also he conforms to that rule of discipline 
which makes it his duty " to receive members." (See 
Discipline, p. 51.) 

This ministerial prerogative is thus noticed by Coke 
and Asbury : — 

" He is also to receive members on trial and into 
society, according to the form of Discipline. If this 
authority were vested in the society, or any part of it, 
the great work of revival would soon be at an end. 
A very remarkable proof of this was given by a society 
several years ago in Europe. Many of the leading 
members of that society were exceedingly importu- 
nate to have the whole government of their society 
invested in a meeting composed of the principal 
preacher, and a number of lay elders and lay deacons, 
as they termed them. At last, the preacher who had 
the oversight of the circuit was prevailed on, through 
their incessant importunity, to comply with their re- 
quest. He accordingly nominated all the leaders and 
14 



210 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

stewards as lay elders and lay deacons, with the de- 
sired powers. But, alas ! what was the consequence ? 
The great revival which was then in that society and 
congregation, was soon extinguished. Poor sinners, 
nearly awakened, were nocking into the Church of 
God, as doves to their windows. But now the wisdom 
and prudence of the new court kept them at a distance, 
till they had given full proof of their repentance: 
* If their convictions be sincere/ said they, ■ they will 
not withdraw themselves from the preaching of the 
word on account of our caution ; they themselves will 
see the propriety of our conduct.' Thus, while the 
fervent preacher was one hour declaring the willing- 
ness of Christ immediately to receive the returning 
sinners, the wisdom of the lay elders and the lay dea- 
cons would the next hour reject them even from being 
received on trial, unless they had been before 'painted 
sepulchres, inwardly full of dead men's bones and rotten- 
ness. The preacher who had the charge of the circuit, 
nearly broke his heart to see the precious souls which 
God had given him kept at a distance from him, and 
thrown back again upon the wide world by the pricdent 
lay elders and lay deacons. However, at his earnest 
entreaty, he was removed into another circuit by the 
conference, under whose control he acted, to enjoy the 
blessings of the Methodist economy. The revival of the 
work of God was soon extinguished, and the society, 
from being one of the most lively, became one of the 
most languid in Europe. 

11 Glory be to God, all our societies throughout the 
world, now amounting to upward of one hundred and 
sixty thousand, have been raised, under grace, by our 
ministers and preachers. They, and they only, are their 



APPENDIX. 211 

spiritual fathers under God, and none others can feel 
for them as they do. It is true, that on great revivals, 
the spiritually halt, and blind, and lame, will press 
in crowds into the Church of God ; and they are wel- 
come to all that we can do for their invaluable souls, 
till they prove unfaithful to convincing or converting 
grace. And we will not throw back their souls on the 
wicked world, while groaning under the burden of 
sin. because many on the trial quench their convic- 
tions, or perhaps were hypocritical from the beginning. 
We would sooner go again into the highways and 
hedges, and form new societies, as at first, than we 
would give up a privilege so essential to the ministe- 
rial office, and to the revival of the work of God. 

" ■ The master of the house [God] said to his servant, 
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, 
and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the 
halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is 
done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room/ 
He obeys his God without asking permission of any 
society, whether he should obey him or not. 'And 
the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the high- 
ways and hedges, and compel them to come hi, that my 
house may be filled.' Luke xiv, 21-23. The servant 
answers not to his God, ' I will comply with thy com- 
mand as far as my society, or my leaders, and stew- 
ards will permit me. ; Again, the Lord says to Eze- 
kiel, chap, xxxiv, 2-10, ' Son of man, prophesy against 
the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, 
Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to 

the shepherds of Israel The diseased have ye not 

strengthened, neither hav^ ye healed that which was 
sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, 



212 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

neither have ye brought again that which was driven 
away, neither have ye sought that which was lost. .... 

And they were scattered, because there is no shep- 
herd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the 
field when they were scattered. ..... Therefore, ye 

shepherds, hear the word of the Lord : As I live, saith 
the Lord God, surely because my nock became a prey, 
and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, 
because there was no shepherd, neither did my shep- 
herds search for my flock therefore, ye shep- 
herds, hear the word of the Lord : Thus saith the Lord 
God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and / will 
require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease 
from feeding the flock ; neither shall the shepherds 
feed themselves any more ; for I will deliver my flock 
from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.' 
" Now, what pastors, called and owned of God, would 
take upon themselves this awful responsibility, if 
others could refuse to their spiritual children the 
grand external privilege of the gospel, or admit among 
them the most improper persons to mix with and cor- 
rupt them? Truly, whatever the pastors of other 
churches may do, we trust that ours will never put 
themselves under so dreadful a bondage. It is in vain 
to say, that others may be as tender and cautious as 
the pastors ; for the pastors are the persons responsi- 
ble to God, and, therefore, should by no means be thus 
fettered in their pastoral care. And those who are 
desirous to wrest out of the hands of ministers this 
important part of their duty, should rather go out 
themselves into the highways and hedges, and preach 
the everlasting gospel, or be contented with their 
present providential situation. 



APPENDIX. 213 

* Besides, tlie command of our Lord, (Matt, xxviii, 
19,) ' Go ye, . . . and teaoli all nations, baptizing them/ 
&c, is addressed to pastors only — to Ms disciples, and 
through them to all his ministering servants, to the 
end of the world. But if ministers are to be the 
judges of the proper subjects of baptism, which is the 
grand initiatory ordinance into the visible Church, 
how much more should they have a right to determine 
whom they will take under their own care, or whom 
God has given them out of the world by the preaching 
of his word ! For ministers to spend their strength, 
their tears, their prayers, their lives, for the salvation 
of souls, and to have both themselves and theirs under 
the control of those who never travailed in birth for 
them, and therefore can never feel for them as their 
spiritual parents do, is a burden we cannot bear. 
Thus it is evident that both reason and Scripture do, 
in the clearest manner, make the privilege or power 
now under consideration, essential to the gospel minis- 
try." — Notes, chap, i., sec. 10, o. 

2. The duty of the preacher in charge has respect 
also to the class-leaders. These officers are to be ap- 
pointed by him. (See Discipline, p. 51.) 

The responsibility of the minister as a pastor over 
the flock, is not transferable. Neither the society of 
which he has the charge, nor any smaller number, can 
assume the duties which belong peculiarly to his office. 
And although he may deem it expedient and necessary 
to select good men and true, to assist him in bearing 
his burden, the weight of obligation and responsibility 
must nevertheless rest upon him. It should, there- 
fore, be his aim to meet that responsibility in the 
most satisfactory and able manner. With this view 



214 CLASS -LEADER'S MANUAL. 

lie organizes classes, and appoints their leaders ; only 
that his obligations as a minister of Christ, and as a 
shepherd of the flock, may be answered, and the most 
material and efficient aid be furnished him in doing 
his own proper work. And surely, as it is only the 
pastor's work that is to be done, it is suitable and 
obligatory that that work in all its departments 
should be controlled and directed by the pastor alone.* 
On this point I will do myself the pleasure of quoting 
from an able little work by one of our living writers : — 
" The leaders he (the preacher) appoints ; and he 
should do so for these good reasons : 1. Their work is 
entirely his ; it is pastoral labour. The labours of long 
circuits would not at first allow the preacher to visit 
much the members of the local appointments. Lead- 
ers did, and still do, this work in another form. It is 
a spiritual supervision of the Church, rightfully per- 
taining to the ministry ; but in this delegated in part 
to the leaders. The ministry should certainly have 
the power to choose their delegates to do their own 
work. 2. What might be the results, if the classes 
should choose their own leaders, as among the sece- 
ders ? These classes are. often composed of young con- 
verts, and include all members, however excitable or 
extravagant. The man who could be most extrava- 
gant, would, in many cases, be preferred ; not the aged 
and experienced, who could instruct and build them 
up. 3. The process of electioneering, through all the 
classes once a year, would produce endless distrac- 
tions and feuds ; and 4. Members of classes who should 

° In the Protestant Methodist Church, and some other 
secessions, the leaders are elected by the several classes. 



APPENDIX. 215 

vote against their leader, would ever feel uneasy 
under his guidance ; his reproofs would be con- 
strued into party prejudice, and his admonitions be 
rejected. Better would it be to give up the classes, 
than have them thus fountains of discord/ } ° — Stevens' 
Church Polity, p. 165. 

For reasons similar to those now given, the preacher 
changes the leaders when it becomes necessary. (See 
Discipline, p 51.) However well qualified a man may 
be when first appointed to this office, it is not always 
the case that he is permanently useful. Various cau- 
ses may contribute to the diminution of his influence, 
and call for his removal. And as it is the design that 
he should nourish and feed his little flock, and lend 
all the aid in his power to promote their prosperity, 
if ever the time comes when these ends are not sub- 
served by him, then does it become the duty of the 
preacher, as chief pastor, to displace him, and make 
room for another who will better answer the design 
of the office. 

Whether he becomes disqualified by that incessant 
wear to which his talents are not equal, by a decline 
in his own religious attainments, by a neglect of the 
duties belonging to his vocation, or by a loss of repu- 
tation and influence in the society to which he belongs, 
or from any other cause, the duty of the preacher in 
either case is the same. His work, as a pastor, is not 
promoted, as was contemplated in his appointment, 
and his place should therefore be filled by another who 
will discharge with greater fidelity the important 

3 Some of these disadvantages are obviated, in part, among 
the seceders, by making the election of leaders through the 
ballot. 



216 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

duties of Ms vocation. And this is an obligation de- 
volving upon the preacher in charge, which he cannot 
assume or lay aside at pleasure. It is his duty to see 
that all such necessary changes are effected. " As the 
preacher in charge is the only person in the circuit 
who is responsible to the yearly conference for the 
decline of the work of God in his circuit, and the only 
one the conference can make responsible, he has the 
authority vested in him of changing leaders when they 
have lost the life of God, or are incapacitated for, or 
negligent of, their duty. But if he ever use this power 
in a capricious or tyrannical manner, the people may 
lay their grievances before the bishops or presiding 
elders, who have authority to suspend him for ill con- 
duct ; or before the yearly conference, which may pro- 
ceed even to his expulsion, if he grossly offend against 
that ' wisdom which is from above, and which is first 
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, 
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and 
without hypocrisy. 7 James iii, 17." — Notes on Disci- 
pline, by Coke and Asbury. 

It is to be acknowledged and deprecated, that these 
changes are not always made when necessary for the 
greatest good of the cause. The sentiment prevails 
too widely, that if a man once becomes a leader, he 
cannot be removed from office without in some way 
being unjustly dealt with. While serving the Church 
in this capacity, he ? of course, as a general thing, 
forms his attachments, and makes his friends, while, 
at the same time, he has his own private relations 
and friendships in social life, altogether making it a 
matter of some difficulty and delicacy to remove him. 
And besides this, we cannot always supply the place 



APPENDIX. 217 

of such a man by one who would be more competent, 
and do a better service to the Church. It is not the 
easiest thing to find men who are every way competent 
for this office ; and therefore it is sometimes best to 
bear with the delinquencies of those who sustain this 
relation, if they are not of too gross and serious a 
kind, rather than run the risk of introducing confu- 
sion and excitement into the Church. If, however, 
the way is clear, we should not halt or waver. Upon 
the preacher rests the responsibility in all such cases, 
and he is under obligation to do the best he can, con- 
sidering all the circumstances of the case. It is, how- 
ever, to be regretted, that a different state of feeling 
does not render a more frequent change of leaders 
easy and practicable. 

With the same view it is enjoined upon the preach- 
er : — " Let the leaders frequently meet each other's 
classes/' And, 

" Let us observe which leaders are the most useful, 
and let them meet the other classes as often as possi- 
ble. w (See Discipline, p. 74.) Thus maintaining a 
subordinate and limited itinerancy within the limits 
of a single charge, distributing the most available 
talent of the Church, and by this healthful circulation 
of the life blood of the system, preserving the vitality 
and vigour of every part. 

In reference to the qualifications of leaders, the 
preacher is required to " see that they are men, not 
only of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to 
God." — Discipline, p. 74. 

These are indispensable prerequisites for such an 
office. Without them no man is competent to take 
the charge of souls ; and it is because of the character 



218 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

of this work that such qualifications are deemed ne- 
cessary. Everything looks toward the pastoral cha- 
racter of the leader, as subordinate to the preacher in 
charge, and designed to assist him in the performance 
of his pastoral duties, and everything is estimated 
only as it may be conducive to this end. This aspect 
of the question is not with sufficient prominence held 
up to view. Our minds cannot be too strongly im- 
pressed with this sentiment, authorized as it is by our 
Discipline, and by the relation itself, which a leader 
sustains to his class. The greatest mental competency, 
and the highest intellectual attainments, without a 
considerable share of Divine grace, are insufficient 
qualifications for this responsible office. Hence the 
scrupulous care which should be exercised by him 
who has the appointment and control of those by whom 
it is to be filled. 

The preacher in charge is also to hold leaders' 
meetings. 

In our General Rules, it is made the duty of the 
leader " to meet the minister and stewards of the so- 
ciety, once a week/' In part I., chap, iv, sec. 11, of the 
Discipline, one of the duties of the preacher in charge 
is, " To meet the stewards and leaders as often as pos- 
sible." We see here a slight discrepancy: one rule 
requiring the preacher to meet the leaders and stew- 
ards iveekly, and the other as often as possible. In the 
application of this rule, the weekly leaders 7 meeting 
generally obtains in our cities and larger towns, while 
these officers are less frequently convened in country 
circuits, and sparsely settled districts. These rules 
were so interpreted by our early bishops in the notes 
which were appended at one time to our Discipline : — 



APPENDIX. 219 

" He (the preacher) is to watch over the stewards and 
leaders of his circuit. He should meet them weekly ivhen 
in the towns, and as often as may be in the country." 

At these meetings, the leader is 

'• 1. To inform the minister of any that are sick, or 
of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved. 

" 2. To pay the stewards what they have received 
of their several classes in the week preceding." (See 
Discipline, p. 21.) 

It is also the province of the preacher in charge " to 
examine each of the leaders diligently concerning his 
method of meeting a class." And this is to " be done 
with all possible exactness, at least once a quarter." 

The leaders are also required to "converse with 
those who have the charge of their circuits frequently 
and freely." (See Discipline, p. 73.) 

This mutual and friendly inquiry may be conducted 
in a very convenient and advantageous manner on the 
occasions of which we speak. 

Thus it is through the leaders' meeting that a sys- 
tem of efficient finance may be obtained, that a know- 
ledge of the spiritual state and temporal distresses of 
the members generally may be acquired, the respon- 
sibility of leaders enforced, and a Wholesome general 
superintendence be exercised over the entire Church. 

3. The duty of preachers is to be considered as ex- 
tending to the members of which the classes are com- 
posed. 

" To meet the societies, classes, and general bands," 
constitutes a part of their regular work. (See Disci' 
pline, p. 48.) 

While the leaders' meeting furnishes an admirable 
means for the exercise of a general supervision over 



220 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL, 

the society, by a faithful performance of this part of 
his duties, the preacher reaches in a more direct and 
effectual manner every member of his charge. 

At the meetings of the society he has an opportu- 
nity of giving those general instructions which the 
case may require, of reading " the rules of the society," 
as the Discipline directs, and of attending to other du- 
ties which may be conveniently performed at the same 
time. (See Discipline, p. 54.) 

At the general bands, or fellowship meetings of the 
society, he also meets with the different classes, and, 
as at our love-feasts, hears from them their religious 
experience, and thus becomes generally acquainted 
with the Christian character of his members, as time 
and circumstances may favour* 

But he is also required to meet the classes separately. 
Thus every individual comes under his immediate 
notice, and he becomes acquainted, more or less, with 
the spiritual state of all, taking the occasion for ad- 
ministering the counsel which every case demands. 

In these visitations he is required to " be very mild, 
but very strict," that he may affectionately, and yet 
with the necessary efficiency, exercise a pastor's care 
over every member of his charge. 

In reference to all the members of the different 
classes, he is required "to enforce vigorously, but 
calmly, all the rules of the society." (See Discipline, 
p. 54.) 

Q These meetings, although not always denominated by 
this name, are common among us. Sometimes they are 
called general classes, sometimes fellowship or communion 
meetings ; hut by whatever name they are called, the thing 
itself is familiar to most of us. 



APPENDIX. 221 

In thus generally enforcing the discipline of the 
Church, he is materially aided by the leaders' meet- 
ing, while his own personal inspection of the several 
classes contributes to a more satisfactory result in 
this respect, than could be obtained by a dependence 
on the leaders alone. He judges, in a great measure, 
for himself, while, at the same time, he has an oppor- 
tunity of comparing notes with those who are ap- 
pointed to act under and assist him in this, as well as 
other departments of his pastoral work. " Where no 
counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of 
counsellors, there is safety." Prov. xi, 14 

Through this most excellent system of classes, the 
preacher is enabled to perform his important duties, 
and to fulfil his obligations to God and the Church, 
with the greatest regularity, and in the most effectual 
and satisfactory manner. It cannot be doubted but 
what this means has, in a great measure, accomplished 
among us its design. Those brought into the Church 
have been hereby preserved to us and to Christ, and 
the general spiritual interests of God's people have 
been promoted in the highest degree, and thus the 
duty of our ministers towards the heritage of the 
Lord, which is the great thing aimed at, has been per- 
formed with the most satisfactory and encouraging 
results. 

The Methodist minister, in entering upon a circuit 
or station, finds that there are different societies or 
neighbourhoods, comprising in many cases a great 
number of souls, who, for their greatest spiritual pros- 
perity, require constant care and oversight. In his 
own pastoral labours he calls upon them all at their 
respective houses, and in this manner makes himself 



222 CLASS-LEADER'S MANUAL. 

as pastoral as his varied circumstances and multiplied 
duties will admit ; but it is very evident to the most 
cursory observer, that if his pastorate is of any extent, 
before he completes the circle of his regular visits, 
those with whom he commenced may, in the mean 
time, have seriously erred and wandered out of the 
way. An occasional visit from the pastor, though 
repeated with comparative frequency, will not answer 
all the ends proposed. It is most certain, that, in 
general, he cannot visit and give religious counsel to 
every member of his charge, as often as the case re- 
quires. There is wanted a supervision more special 
and direct, and one by which his members are rendered 
tangible at all times. In the Christian Churches of 
the age generally, there seems to be no way of meeting 
this pressing exigency. But the economy of Metho- 
dism provides for this want. Here the system of 
classes steps in to the aid of the minister, and by this 
means, if the plan is carried out in all its details, his 
work, as a Christian pastor, is more completely, and 
with better final results, accomplished. 

Whatever deficiency there is on his part, unavoida- 
ble from the nature of the case, is supplied by the 
zealous effort of a faithful leader, and the peculiari- 
ties of every case are met and disposed of by this most 
excellent and necessary officer. 



9 
APPENDIX. 223 

c. 

We append, on the next page, a specimen of the New 
Class-Book, published at the Methodist Book Concern, 
to illustrate the manner in which a class-book should 
be kept, so as to show, at one view, the attendance 
and payments of the members. 

The respective headings show the uses of the several 
columns. 

The abbreviations are : — p. for present ; a. for ab- 
sent ; s. for sick ; and d. for distant. 

Opposite each name, you have the weekly attend- 
ance and payment of each member. Below is the sum 
total of the weekly payments, with a line to be entered 
by the stewards for the amounts paid over to them. 



1 

s 




^ ©3 X 


^ ?i 8 ^' 


CM 


vr» ^ -W W 1 

^ ©Q tO X 


Si, Si, Sl< «o 


i-t 


s i s x i 


S&I . - 'S&iv -SV* .'*• 


00 


m ^ ^ x | 


S^ Si, Si, 09 






T-4 


b£^ ©3 to S so ©s 
©3 i — i *** VS 1 os os 


si, si, si, si, 


00 

P 


n 

1 


James Jones, Leader .... 
Edward Walter ..... 

Mary Walter 

Stephen Potts 

Amount of Class Receipts . . 
Received by Stewards . . . 


•Xpi 33 AV 
noi^duosqng 


l^S) ©J CO «^t< 
GQ i— 1 OS OS 




S QQ ^ QQ 


1 


) 

4 


r-( C3 CO t* 



3 













°o 










4? .'ft'*'. ^ v t *J^'* <^6 dS 










3*. * • « • 






WERf 

BOOKBINDING 

Grantville. Pa. 
Sept.— Oct 196" 














